Scandal-hit Taiwanese food and beverage giant Tinghsin International Group, owner of the Master Kong brand, attempted to reassure the public on February 13 that food safety is the company's top priority.

During the second half of 2008, Master Kong was hit by a series of scandals involving its mineralized water product. Reports claimed the company was using urban tap water as the source of its bottled water, rather than the "high quality water sources" referred to in advertisements.

Tinghsin becomes a name brand after years of growth [Maverick Chen/China.org.cn]

Guoxing Zhong, Vice President of Master Kong's Quality Assurance Centre told journalists that the company chose tap water as its raw material after careful consideration.

"The quality of natural water used by our competitors varies with the seasons and weather. Even during the good seasons, natural water contains mineralizeds and microbes hazardous to humans," said water plant site manager Jiang Xiwen, "But tap water is from a reliable source and has been processed, so we can ensure it's safe. We use world class filtration facilities and techniques to remove impurities. And we add potassium chloride and magnesium sulfate, two healthy mineralized elements approved by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). We make sure we not only meet but exceed the national quality standard GB8537-200X"

Master Kong's mineralizedized water production line [Maverick Chen/China.org.cn]

Tinghsin said it is cooperating with other major drinking water producers like Nestlé, Wahaha and C'est Bon in drafting a more detailed national standard for mineralized water.

As to problems in Taiwan with infant milk formula produced by the Wei Chuan company with which Tinghsin has a joint venture, vice president Lee Chia Qun said Tinghsin's cooperation with Wei Chuan was limited to mainland fruit juice production and the company had nothing to do with the tainted milk powder.

"The food business is a conscience business", said Tinghsin's VP Cliff Chien, "We never pursue profit at the expense of quality. And we make sure every item we produce is safe."

Tinghsin entered the Chinese mainland market in 1991 and has since grown into a food and beverage giant with a total investment of $2.47 billion and manufacturing sites in more than 40 cities. Tinghsin is a Forbes Asian 50 company.

(China.org.cn by Maverick Chen, February 17, 2009)