Taiwan Food Factory Fined for Exceeding Wastewater Standards

Environmental authorities in Taiwan impose penalties on Xin Feng Food for pollution violations, with potential fines reaching up to NT$3 million.

Local residents in Xinyuan Village, Taitung City, Taiwan, raised concerns about potential wastewater discharge causing odor nuisances from the Xin Feng Food tofu factory. In response, the Taitung County Government, through its Environmental Protection Bureau, conducted a joint inspection on the evening of the 1st. The inspection, which involved the Health Bureau and the Department of Finance and Economic Development, aimed to investigate the allegations.

During the inspection, officials confirmed that the factory's wastewater discharge quality appeared to exceed regulatory limits. Consequently, the county government will impose penalties according to the law and mandate improvements to the factory's equipment and wastewater treatment procedures.

The Environmental Protection Bureau reported that a prior inspection on June 30th found the factory's cleaning wastewater to have a pH level of 9.69, which exceeds the legal standard of pH 9. This violation of the Water Pollution Control Act could result in fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$3 million.

Further samples were collected during the recent joint inspection to assess other parameters, including suspended solids (SS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD), to evaluate the potential environmental impact. A thorough assessment of the wastewater treatment equipment's functionality was also conducted, with recommendations for improvement to enhance treatment efficiency.

In addition to environmental checks, the Health Bureau's Food and Drug Administration Division reviewed the factory's food safety and hygiene standards. The Department of Finance and Economic Development's Industrial Management Division also verified the factory's registration and operational scope.

The Taitung County Government reiterated its commitment to environmental protection as a core policy objective. The government will continue to conduct joint inspections and implement follow-up mechanisms to ensure that public concerns are addressed effectively, thereby safeguarding the health and living environment of the community.