The news industry in Taiwan is beyond sensationalism. For an island of 20 millions or so population, there are nearly a dozen news TV channels and half a dozen newspapers. The competition for eyeballs has been a blood sport. As the result, the waves of sensational news stories wash the island constantly.
It turned out a cooking oil manufacturer, having about 10% of the market, has been grossly misleading the consumers on exactly what’s the contents of the oil. The one labelled “peanut oil” has no peanut what-so-ever. It was cottonseed oil with peanut flavor additive and food coloring. The investigation soon revealed that their “extra virgin” Olive oil is the same scam. As I left the island, the CEO of the company was facing criminal indictment for gross fraudulence.
Few months prior, a large bakery chain was brought down for using synthesized addictive, instead “all natural” ingredients as they advertised. The spokesperson, a celebrity, bowed to the public. The government fined them with false advertisement. The controlling company now faced insider stock-trading charges. Clearly they profited handsomely selling their own stock at the opportune time.
And earlier this year, a major starch manufacturer was indicted for bleaching their products with questionable chemical to make the starch more appealing. Then a food container manufacturer was found cleaning their boxes with the wrong chemical that can be toxic.
I love to eat in Taiwan: so many childhood goodies and so many gourmet restaurants. I am not alone. Delicious and exotic tropical fruits and dogged competition on innovation and flavoring made the food industry a primary attraction for tourists.
Sigh… Should I take this seriously? Maybe ignorance is the bliss? How about turning off the TV, at least the news channels?