KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Authorities raided Bo-Son Meats Co., Ltd. (柏昇食品公司) in Renwu, Kaohsiung (高雄仁武), on Tuesday (July 9), uncovering 11.4 metric tons of expired frozen meat, including goose meat that expired over 14 years ago.
The company allegedly altered labels to extend the shelf life of these products, distributing them to four restaurants in Kaohsiung City (高雄市), including a well-known star-rated hotel and dining establishments.
Prosecutors and health officials conducted a large-scale search of the company's warehouse, discovering the expired meat. The company, operated by a couple with the surname Hsieh, allegedly mixed expired meat with fresh supplies and relabeled them. Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office (橋檢) Prosecutor Hsieh Chao-ching (謝肇晶) stated, "The defendants, surnamed Hsieh and Lin, are both suspected of fraud under Article 255 of the Criminal Code have been ordered to post bail of NT$400,000 and NT$200,000, respectively."
The Department of Health, Kaohsiung City Government (高市衛生局), has removed the 11.4 metric tons of expired meat from shelves as a precaution. However, the department expressed concern that consumers may have already consumed some of the expired meat. Cheng Hui-chun (鄭慧君), a food safety technology official, noted, "In accordance with the violation of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, the fines will be increased to NT$60,000 to NT$200 million, and we will continue to trace the flow of non-compliant products and supervise the recovery and destruction of the products."
Authorities continue to investigate the distribution channels and supervise the recall and destruction of the products. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious food products to local health officials.
