Excessive levels of aflatoxin found in popular Hsinchu peanut butter souvenir

Excessive levels of aflatoxin found in popular Hsinchu peanut butter souvenir

2025-07-28

A popular peanut souvenir from Hsinchu has been found to contain excessive levels of aflatoxin, a poisonous carcinogen produced by molds. The sample, taken from a supermarket in Taipei came from a jar of Fuyuan Peanut Butter, and other batches from the same wholesaler in Taoyuan were later found to also be in violation of regulations. Taipei health authorities have ordered the products to be pulled off shelves. Though the maker says the cause may be improper storage at the supermarket, investigators say the contamination could have arisen from subpar raw peanuts used to make the nut butter. Let’s hear more.

Lee Hui-chih
Taipei Department of Health
We tested 30 samples in total. Two peanut powder products and one peanut butter product were found to contain aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin levels that exceeded the permitted levels. Upon further investigation it was determined that the products came from outside Taipei.

Tseng Chun-chiang
Peanut butter company
This batch was made in April and was sampled at the Carrefour store in Taoyuan. We immediately recalled and destroyed the entire batch and the products have since cleared two further inspections by the Department of Health. Perhaps the products were stored improperly at the supermarket or during shipping, causing the aflatoxin contamination.

Health authorities say that peanut products are especially susceptible to be contaminated with aflatoxin. So, when purchasing any products of the kind, its best to ensure they are properly packaged upon purchase, and properly stored after opening.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#peanutbutter #花生醬 #peanut #nutbutter #supermarket #PB&J #toxin

台北市量販店賣「新竹福源花生醬」驗出黃麴毒素超標

2025-07-28

台北市衛生局，到北市賣場抽查，發現一款新竹熱門伴手禮"福源花生醬"，驗出黃麴毒素超標，批發商來自桃園，前往調查，發現其他批次的花生醬，也有超標，責令下架回收，新竹負責人出面澄清，懷疑是賣場保存不當，也初判污染源，可能是供應商的原料花生，品質異常。

[[北市衛生局衛生稽查科長李慧芝]]
“我們這次共抽驗了30件產品。檢驗產品中的黃麴毒素，其中兩件花生粉跟一件花生醬，有檢出黃麴毒素含量B1，及總黃麴毒素不符合食品中真菌毒素含量標準規定。
經我們追查產品是外縣市的業者。”

[[新竹花生醬負責人曾俊強]]
“這一批是四月製造的，在賣場桃園家樂福檢驗到。第一時間馬上收回銷毀這一批貨。後續衛生局來抽驗兩次報告，都過了。賣場的可能是他們保存不當、運送過有什麼問題，會造成一些黃麴毒素。”

衛生局也提醒民眾，花生製品容易受真菌毒素汙染，購買時要確認包裝，開封後也要早點食用完畢。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Extremely heavy rain batters central and southern regions

Although Tropical Storm Co-may is still lingering near Okinawa, its periphery is delivering heavy rainfall to many areas of Taiwan. That’s especially so in the south, with widespread flooding in several cities and counties. The Central Weather Administration estimates that the rain will only subside by Thursday in most of the country.

As extremely heavy rain plunders Chiayi, the county government called off work and classes on Monday morning. Among all townships in Chiayi, Taibao recorded the heaviest precipitation, at over 440mm as of 6 p.m. Monday. Even a TSMC site located in the area was flooded.

The rain even began leaking through the roof, so workers did not put away their rain gear. Many of them pulled up a stool and sat down to pass the time. Over in the corner, the flooding was already seeping into the aircons.

Over in the southwest, large swathes of Puzi City were flooded over due to the low-lying terrain and ground subsidence. Many residential buildings, streets and schools were severely affected. Locals could only build sandbag barriers and move their vehicles to lessen the damage.

Meanwhile, in Tainan’s Houbi District, many streets became veritable streams, and the floods even reached local homes. The city government’s disaster response center dispatched two military trucks, and had military personnel hand out bento boxes and relocate local residents.

Flooding was also reported in Yunlin’s Shuilin Township and Taichung’s coastal Dajia and Da’an Districts, among others. Unfortunately, relief from the rain will not come anytime soon.

Chu Mei-ling
Central Weather Administration
Southwesterly winds near Taiwan will strengthen into a current. Therefore, rainfall in the central and southern regions will become heavier and heavier.

Tropical Cyclone Co-may brought forth the large low-pressure belt toward Taiwan. Weather conditions remain unstable, and strong southwesterly winds bring in large amounts of moisture. By Tuesday daytime, maximum precipitation levels will gradually move toward mountainous areas, but rainfall in Southern Taiwan will not noticeably subside. The Central Weather Administration puts 24-hour precipitation level estimates at 250mm to 400mm for Kaohsiung and Pingtung, and 200mm to 300mm for Tainan.

Chu Mei-ling
Central Weather Administration
As Co-may gradually moves toward the northwest, Taiwan will eventually be covered under the off-center area of the low pressure belt. Meanwhile the south will be located where strong southwesterly winds are, and as the cyclone gradually moves toward the northwest, the strong winds will also move towards the central and southern regions, and therefore weather conditions will be quite unstable. From the evening of the 28 to Wednesday, the weather conditions will mostly remain as such.

Starting on Thursday, the tropical cyclone will be far off enough that rainfall all across Taiwan will weaken. However, moisture levels will remain high in the south, and the central and southern regions can expect the rain to last another five to six days.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#weather #rain #flooding #chiayi #kaohsiung #storm

2025-07-28

Environment Ministry, CPBL ink agreement to promote eco initiatives

The Ministry of Environment and CPBL recently signed a memorandum of understanding to create an environmentally friendly stadium atmosphere through low-plastic, low-carbon, and net-zero initiatives. This year, they invited South Korean cheerleader Lee Da-hye to serve as a recycling ambassador, appearing at the event in a jersey made from eco-friendly fabric.

There are over 300 CPBL games hosted every year. Hoping to foster awareness of sustainability in baseball stadiums, the Ministry of Environment invited South Korean cheerleader Lee Da-hye to be a recycling ambassador.

Lee Da-hye
Ambassador
My sustainable habit is when I leave home, I bring a cup with me. And when I throw out trash, I take the stickers off before throwing out. That’s very important.

Wearing a sustainable CPBL jersey, Lee leads Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming in a cheer to promote the initiative. Under the agreement, the ministry and the league aim to create a high-energy and environmentally friendly environment in stadiums through diverse initiatives that aim to reduce plastic and emissions. Fans will be encouraged to bring their own cup or borrow a reusable one for a discount on purchases. Garbage sorting will also be stricter, while jerseys will be made from recycled materials with sustainable design. Retired equipment will also be donated to schools and community organizations.

Tsai Chi-chang
CPBL Commissioner
Next season will be the first year we’re implementing this. We won’t award first and second place. Instead, it’ll be designed the same way as in the MLB. As long as they meet the requirements, they’ll be given a “green stadium” award.

Peng Chi-ming
Minister of Environment
The jerseys, equipment, trash sorting, and reusable cups can all be done at the same time. In the future, we’ll help each team create more sustainable environments.

Looking forward, the ministry hopes to instill a sustainability awareness for all large-scale events and make it a part of daily life, inviting everyone to contribute to “Team Sustainable Taiwan.”

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#CPBL #sustainability #MinistryofEnvironment #baseball #LeeDahye #ecofriendly #reusablecup

2025-07-28

Metal detector roots out cheating at Miaoli largest chicken contest

2025-07-28

DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu Chang tenders resignation after recall fail

2025-07-28

Two ‘bawan’ eateries in Changhua among top winners of 500 Bowls Award

2025-07-28

Mint chocolate, bubble tea among new breakfast burger gambits

2025-07-28

Two Taiwan choirs bag gold at music competition despite China interference

China’s interference in international competitions isn’t just limited to sports, but now even choral music. These past few days, Japan hosted the seventh edition of the Tokyo International Choir Competition. In previous years, Taiwanese choirs have participated under the name Taiwan, and the national flag was displayed at the concert hall. But this year, China demanded that Taiwan be referred to as Chinese Taipei and get the flag removed. Despite China’s attempt to stir up trouble, two Taiwanese choirs managed to bag gold medals in their respective categories.

The audience cheers, and the award presenters appear delighted that the Nibun Chorus has won. With a score of 95.9, they came out on top of the Folklore Music Category at the Tokyo International Choir Competition. It was an especially delicious win, as China had tried to sabotage Taiwan at the event, demanding that Taiwan not be named, and that the national flag be removed.

The sports anthem “Taiwan Strong” resounds in the hall, and the winners do the viral chest framing gesture in an echo of Taiwan’s win at Premier12. Despite China’s interference, the Octangle Men’s Choir won the Equal Voice Choir category, and the award for best conducting. All six Taiwanese choruses participating in the competition in Japan put on a splendid show, unaffected by China’s meddling.

Cheng Mu-chun
Octangle Men’s Choir head
China bullied the organizers of a private event. The organizers told us it was an incredibly difficult decision to make. Apparently, they were notified by the Chinese delegation that they needed to change things, claiming that the event couldn’t refer to China and Taiwan at the same time due to national policy. They told the organizers they had to refer to us as “Chinese Taipei” and take down the flag.

Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Japan dispatched staff to the competition to offer support and prevent further interference from China. It also released a statement condemning China’s actions, noting that Taiwan has participated as “Taiwan” in previous editions of the competition.

Chiu Yi-ying
Lawmaker (DPP)
It is so sad to hear that Chinese interference led to the removal of Taiwan’s flag from the venue of a music competition. We’re thankful to our diplomats for communicating with the organizers. Ultimately, in order to not create political issues, the presenter introduced our choirs as both from Chinese Taipei and Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#choir #chorus #tokyo #taiwanstrong #music #choral #japan #taiwan #china

2025-07-28

34,000 job openings available in Taiwan’s semiconductor industry

With falling birth rates amid an ageing population, Taiwan now has 34,000 job vacancies in the semiconductor industry, with openings available even to non-engineering talent. To address the issue, ITRI and a job bank teamed up to compile a 2025 report for talent trends in the industry. On Monday, key findings and conclusions in the reported were presented to the public. Let’s find out more.

Jeff Lin
ITRI Vice President
The only region in Taiwan where the birthrate is increasing is basically only the Hsinchu area.

ITRI Vice President Jeff Lin does not sugar-coat the reason Taiwan is experiencing a labor shortage: falling birth rate and population ageing. To address the issue, ITRI has teamed up with a job bank to publish a 2025 report on semiconductor industry talent trends. It concluded that in addition to filling job vacancies, AI will also play an important role in keeping operations running in Taiwan, an AI hub.

Stephen Su
ITRI Senior Vice President
Almost 70% of jobs now require AI-human collaboration. For example, if you used to do integrated circuit design, now AI can help you with 70% of the work. As for your decision-making and how you can find international partners for your intellectual property, that’s the remaining 30%.

The report found that the largest number of vacancies is related to production, quality control and industrial hygiene, with 9,968 job openings in May this year. Following up was research and development of advanced manufacturing processes and 3D chips, with 9,316 vacancies. The third highest number was that of technical operations. All in all, there were as many as 34,000 positions waiting to be filled.

Chung Wen-hsiung
Jobseekers’ website vice president
Taiwan’s labor force participation rate in the middle-to-late and late career stages still ha plenty of space for growth compared to other countries.

Why though, are there not enough technicians? The key reason could be that these roles are shift work that requires a high level of operation. It also could be that the jobs do not require a related educational background, which is the case with as many as 58% of current talents. On the other hand, the research and development of manufacturing processes can only be done by those educated in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. However, the big question remains: is Taiwan ready as the industry expands to other countries?

Jeff Lin
ITRI Vice President
As for institutional and cultural challenges, because it’s a whole new environment, so there’s not a single country that can be said to be fully prepared. We don’t have a large market or a large population. Any breakthrough relies on reaching beyond our current talent pool and rethinking what it takes to fulfill a role in this industry.

Non-traditional talent with a liberal arts, social science or business background has emerged as the biggest winners amid current industry trends. On average, salaries for operations and project managers have grown by nearly 20%, for an annual median income of NT$1,239,787. That makes for an average monthly income of over NT$100,000. It seems that businesses in the industry may have to offer better compensation and benefits in order to attract top talents.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#semiconductors #techindustry #jobs #jobsearch #semiconductorjobs #careergrowth

2025-07-28

Pigs left neck-deep in floodwater as extreme downpours batter Chiayi

2025-07-28