According to the Department of Health, an illegal plasticizer has been found in a number of beverages from well-known manufacturers, whose cooperating seasoning company has been accused of adding harmful plasticizer into the clouding agent of the drinks.

The Consumer Protection Commission has since ordered the manufacturer to remove all the contaminated products off the shelves, with a request of offering refunds for consumers unconditionally.

Department of Health's Food and Drug Administration has found a trace of DEHP, a toxic chemical, in the probiotic powder sampled from Anncare Botech Center.

The contaminated samples were traced back to a clouding agent produced by a Yu-shen seasoning company.

Clouding agents are a legal food additive, and are commonly used in fruit juice and other beverages.

Doctors said that DEHP is one of the most poisonous one, and may cause liver cancer, male infertility and pregnant women to give birth to deformed babies.

DEHP is not allowed to be added into any kind of food or beverages.

To help protect consumers health and rights, the DOH has posted a list of 16 beverages in which DEHP has been found, including Young Energy Source, Jet Win Food, and Taiwan Yes' sport drinks, SSCH products, Sunkist lemonade.

The Consumer Protection Commission, health officials and prosecutors have already investigated into the case, including tracing the origin of the plasticizer, and making sure that the products are taken off the shelves.

Prosecutors have found out that the owner of the seasoning company, Lai Chun-chieh, has replaced palm oil with harmful plasticizer to lower the costs.

Consumer protection officials also said that manufacturers, and shops must accept consumers returning of the products.

People who are uncertain if they have purchased the contaminated beverages can call the Department of Health for more information, or dial 1950 at the consumers protection hotline to file complaints.