Taoyuan gears up for Longgang Rice Noodle Festival, despite food safety scare

Taoyuan gears up for Longgang Rice Noodle Festival, despite food safety scare

2024-04-17

Taoyuan is gearing up for the annual Longgang Rice Noodle Festival. It’s a celebration of traditional food and multicultural arts, but after a recent food poisoning scandal in Taipei, many people feel wary of rice-based products. But Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng is keen to restore confidence in the industry. Despite the scandal, he is undeterred, saying he hopes people from all over Taiwan will come to Taoyuan later this month to enjoy the food.

A sip of rich broth and a mouthful of rice noodles. This is the star of the Longgang Rice Noodle Festival in Taoyuan. Mayor Chang San-cheng gave it a try at a press conference, singing the praises of his city’s local delicacies.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan mayor
I really want to highlight that although a while ago, people were very concerned about food safety, our rice noodles in Longgang are quality-ensured by the Department of Public Health. They are definitely completely safe.

After a food poisoning scandal at the restaurant Polam Kopitiam, many diners are suspicious of rice products. It’s been a blow for the rice noodle business. The mayor of Taoyuan was keen to support local noodle makers, and decided to hold the annual Longgang Rice Noodle Festival on schedule.

The Longgang Rice Noodle Festival is a big event in Taoyuan, attracting huge crowds each year. In 2023, it won the accolade of “International Level Special Local Event” from the Tourism Administration. The event’s venue has been expanded this year, to include Yunnan Cultural Park, Zhongzhen New Village Cultural park and Longgang Playground. There will also be a blessing through water flicking, a parade with Dai dancing, and other cultural experiences, giving tourists a taste of multicultural fun without the air miles.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan mayor
We encourage all our Taoyuan natives, and everyone in Taiwan, if you have time, between April 20 and 28, come to Longgang Rice Noodle Festival in Pingzhen, Taoyuan, to experience our delicious food and an international atmosphere.

The city government hopes the event will repair public confidence in rice products, so people can indulge with their minds at ease.

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