Chung-Lien Oil Case: KMT Demands National Security Meeting and Accountability for Officials

(CNA, Taipei, July 7) Regarding the carcinogenic substance benzo(a)pyrene exceeding standards in Chung-Lien cooking oil, the Kuomintang (KMT) stated today that during the 2014 oil scandal, President Lai Ching-te, who was then the Mayor of Tainan, advocated that "food safety is national security." Therefore, they demand that President Lai not shirk responsibility, should immediately apologize to the public, convene a national security meeting, and hold negligent officials accountable.

Chung-Lien's "Soybean Salad Oil" exceeded the standard for the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene, with a total of 1,300 metric tons flowing to companies including Taishan, Fwusow, and Fwumao. The KMT held a press conference today, where its Culture and Communications Committee Chairman Chen Hsin-chi pointed out that what the public wants to know most is whether the cooking oil they purchased is problematic and if their children and elderly family members might have consumed it, which are food safety concerns that the government must actively address.

Chen Hsin-chi believes that the government's biggest problem currently is incomplete information and untimely disclosure. He demands that the government immediately establish a one-stop food safety zone, allowing the public to check product information via their mobile phones, so they can immediately query whether products are affected when shopping at supermarkets, markets, or small eateries.

Chen Hsin-chi also stated that during the 2014 oil scandal, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) severely demanded accountability from the central government. At that time, President Lai, then Mayor of Tainan, advocated that "food safety is national security" and demanded that then-President Ma Ying-jeou not shirk responsibility and convene a national security meeting. The Ma administration did convene a national security meeting, the Premier publicly apologized, and the Minister of Health and Welfare resigned; President Lai should immediately apologize to the public, convene a national security meeting, and hold negligent officials accountable.

Former legislator Chen Yi-min, who attended the press conference, said that this incident highlights a significant loophole in the food safety system. The downstream manufacturer Nan-Chiao's self-testing found the problem, which should be commended; however, from the production of problematic oil in April to Chung-Lien Oils reporting to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the end of June, subsequent inspections already showed non-compliance, yet it was delayed for many days before being addressed. Both the government and the businesses must provide clear explanations.

Liu Tsung-jung, Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Food Safety and Health Risk Assessment at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, stated that carcinogenic risk depends on the exposure dose and duration. The most important thing for the public is to reduce exposure and stop using products with known concerns. The real key is that the government must effectively manage and communicate risks, including timely removal from shelves, clear disclosure of distribution channels, and reducing public contact opportunities; it cannot push the responsibility onto the public's bodies to bear. (Editor: Su Lung-chi, Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150707

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