TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Ten people from three large companies were indicted on Wednesday (Sept. 4) for mislabeling and selling expired eggs to Taiwanese businesses and consumers.
Taiwan’s second-largest egg producer, Ruimu Foods Co., Ltd., reportedly possessed an oversupply of expired eggs, per CNA. Taoyuan prosecutors alleged its CEO, surnamed Wu (吳), had operators process the blackened and rotten eggs into liquid eggs between March and October last year.
Zhongyi Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. and Xinying Egg Products Technology Co., Ltd. transformed the expired eggs. Ruimu Foods then shipped the liquid eggs to unsuspecting downstream parties for consumption.
In a separate indictment, Taoyuan prosecutors found the manager of Zhongyi Agricultural Products, also surnamed Wu (吳), had purchased eggs from Brazil and Thailand and mixed them with domestic eggs, falsely marking them as Taiwanese. He also illegally extended their expiration date by seven days.
Prosecutors recommended a heavy sentence for the companies and individuals, especially given Ruimu Foods’ strong reputation in the egg-producing industry. They said the company’s actions put the reputations of bakery companies and consumers’ health at risk.
They requested that NT$42.9 million (US$1.3 million) in illegal income be confiscated, including NT$40 million from Ruimu Foods, NT$1.1 million from Zhongyi Agricultural Products, and NT$1.8 million from Xinying Egg Products Technology.
The suspects were charged with breaking the Food Safety and Hygiene Management Act for selling expired, adulterated, or mislabeled food. They also broke the Criminal Code, including charges related to aggravated fraud committed by three or more people, falsifying business records, and falsely marketing goods.