The Ministry of Health and Welfare has come under fire for a labeling rule that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lu Hsueh-chang (呂學樟) said would harm Hsinchu specialty rice vermicelli noodles resulting in an “overcorrection” in the market.
Lu has demanded that the law, which is to come into effect tomorrow, be canceled.
Under the new regulation, vermicelli products containing only 100 percent rice can be branded as “pure vermicelli” or “rice vermicelli,” while products with more than 50 percent flour or other edible starches can be labeled only as “mixed-rice vermicelli.”
In addition, the food information must be printed in a font and distinct color no smaller than 4mm. Violators can be subject to a fine from NT$30,000 to NT$3 million (US$1,000 to US$100,000).
The ministry drew up the regulation after 45 of 52 types of rice vermicelli tested last year by the Internet agricultural news platform News and Market were found to contain less than 50 percent rice.
The noodles also included products manufactured by Long Kow, a famous brand from Hsinchu.
“Hsinchu rice vermicelli has existed for more than 100 years and the name represents far more than just a rice product. It has become a brand name and a byword for traditional Taiwanese food,” Lu said yesterday in a press release.
Lu urged the ministry not to damage the brand’s reputation.
“Do wheel pies (車輪餅) come with an wheel or do sun cakes contain the Sun?” Lu said.
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