Hsin Tung Yang Rice Noodles Recalled in Hong Kong and Macau Over Formaldehyde Traces
Published on 08/31/2026 at 07:17 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Food safety authorities in Hong Kong and Macau have ordered a mandatory recall of a Taiwanese rice noodle brand after laboratory tests detected trace amounts of formaldehyde. The action, which affects pre-packaged Hsin Tung Yang Hsinchu Rice Noodles, serves as a reminder to UK food importers and retailers of the strict regulatory scrutiny applied to imported food products across international markets.
Recall Details and Regulatory Action
On August 29, the Hong Kong Center for Food Safety (CFS) announced that a sample of the product contained 12 parts per million (ppm) of formaldehyde. The affected noodles are sold in 300-gram packages with a best-before date of April 10, 2029.
The CFS directed the local distributor, B&S Company, to stop sales and remove the product from retail shelves immediately. Around 450 boxes of the noodles were sealed at a warehouse to prevent further distribution. In Macau, the Municipal Affairs Bureau issued a parallel food alert, urging the public to stop consuming the batch and instructing traders to halt supply.
Health Risk Assessment
Formaldehyde is classified as a Category 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), primarily through inhalation. However, regulatory officials noted that oral consumption at the detected levels is unlikely to pose a significant health risk under normal circumstances.
The CFS reported that 175 rice noodle samples tested between January 2023 and July 2026 all met safety standards, suggesting the detection is an isolated incident.
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Manufacturer Response
Hsin Tung Yang said the specific product was manufactured for export and is not sold in the Taiwan domestic market. The company emphasised that three recent internal and external inspection reports, including those covering batches sent to Hong Kong, showed no detectable levels of formaldehyde.
The manufacturer has committed to cooperating fully with investigators to determine the source of the chemical. The Hsinchu City Health Bureau identified Ming Hao Enterprise as the contract manufacturer, confirming the batch was produced in April and shipped directly abroad. Inspections found no remaining inventory of the affected export product within Taiwan.
Other International Food Safety Alerts
The rice noodle recall coincided with other food safety updates from international regulators in late August.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration expanded a Class II recall for Lundberg Family Farms white jasmine rice due to potential contamination by foreign objects. The recall covers more than 27,000 bags distributed across 13 states, including California, Florida, and New York. The affected 2-pound packages have expiration dates in early February 2027. The company said the products were removed from shelves several months ago, and no illnesses have been reported.
Separately, Junlebao Dairy Group issued a clarification on August 30 regarding a bacterial count issue in Hong Kong involving its 1-liter UHT pure milk. The company said that while export and factory inspections were clear, improper handling at a Hong Kong warehouse led to packaging damage and subsequent contamination. The affected batch was sealed before reaching the market.
Incidents like these show how quickly contamination issues can escalate into costly recalls and enforcement action. For UK employers, the lesson is clear: proactive risk management protects both people and business continuity. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit with 41 ready-to-use templates — covering fire safety, manual handling, first aid and lone working — can help you identify and document hazards before they become problems. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
In mainland China, authorities detained three suspects in Hebei Province following allegations that cabbage was treated with formaldehyde solutions to extend shelf life during transport. Government checks in South Korea on August 24 and 25 found no formaldehyde in cabbage shipments imported from the region following the reports.
