Victims of Zhonglian Oil Case Increase to 360 Companies, Inspection Per Ship/Batch Implemented

Taipei, Jul. 6 (CNA) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced 18 affected products and 30 batches contaminated with carcinogens from Zhonglian oil, which have flowed to 360 companies. The number of companies affected by the problematic oil increased by over 100 in one day. The FDA has requested the four major domestic edible oil refining plants to implement inspection per ship or per batch.

Zhonglian's "Soybean Salad Oil" exceeded the standard for the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), with a total of 1,300 metric tons flowing to first-tier downstream companies including Taishin, Fwusow, and Fwumao. Companies downstream from these three are classified as second-tier. The number of companies affected by the problematic oil has increased from 257 to 360. The scope of precautionary recalls has been expanded to include blended oils or processed products where the affected soybean salad oil content is 20% or more.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare has requested companies to complete precautionary recalls by midnight tonight. Products not falling under the above precautionary recall conditions, but made with the affected soybean salad oil at a content of 20% or less, are not required to be recalled. However, companies must still voluntarily disclose this information by midnight tonight so that the public can identify them.

FDA Director-General Chiang Yu-ling once again personally addressed the issue this evening, stating that local health bureaus have been instructed to report their investigation progress twice daily. This includes company notifications, product distribution, recall and return status, and product information disclosure, allowing the public to stay updated on the government's handling of the situation.

The FDA has established a "Zhonglian Oil Case Special Zone" on its official website, which is updated daily at 2 PM with the latest handling status. The zone also provides information on regulations, standards, guidelines, testing methods, and accredited laboratory information, as well as relevant risk communication and promotional materials for public reference and understanding of the event's progress, government control measures, and food safety knowledge.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare held a meeting today with the four major domestic edible oil refining plants, including Taishin Yi, Zhonglian, Taiwan Sugar, and Chang Hui Enterprise. Chiang Yu-ling stated that companies have been asked to strengthen raw material acceptance, improve process control, and implement self-reporting, including increasing the frequency of BaP testing for soybean raw material acceptance.

Chiang Yu-ling indicated that future measures will include inspection per ship or per batch, and the review of critical process monitoring points. Companies have been instructed to immediately revise their standard operating procedures based on the consensus reached at the meeting, and follow-up will continue. The government will uphold the principles of information transparency, scientific assessment, and lawful handling to accelerate the tracking of product distribution, protect consumers' rights to return or exchange goods, and continuously announce the latest progress to the public. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150706

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