Cho Jung-tai: Actively Addressing Food Safety Issues, Investigating if Chung-Lien Concealed Reporting

(Central News Agency, reporter Chao Min-ya, Taipei, July 7) Regarding the carcinogen exceeding standards in Chung-Lien edible oil, Premier Cho Jung-tai explained the timeline of the incident today, emphasizing that the government is handling it with the utmost prudence and proactivity. Following a resolution from an expert meeting, processed products containing 20% or more of the affected soybean salad oil must be removed from shelves. Concurrently, the government will investigate whether Chung-Lien provided false information or concealed reporting.

Cho Jung-tai attended the opening ceremony of "InfoSec Taiwan 2026 International Information Security Organization Conference" today and accepted media interviews before the event. Addressing the Chung-Lien edible oil carcinogen exceeding standards case, he stated that every food safety issue causes great unease among the public and anxiety for downstream manufacturers. Therefore, the government will certainly handle it with the utmost prudence and proactivity.

Cho Jung-tai explained that on June 11, downstream manufacturers proactively reported to Chung-Lien, but Chung-Lien did not report to relevant authorities until June 30. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection on July 1, confirmed that the oil's production process exceeded standards, and decided that the first tier of products, comprising 18 items and 30 batches of oil, must be completely removed from shelves by noon on July 3.

Cho Jung-tai stated that on July 3, another meeting was held with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the FDA to confirm the number of second-tier manufacturers. It was discovered that the number reported by local governments had changed, and after FDA verification, it increased to 257. To avoid omissions and misjudgments, a comprehensive re-verification was ordered.

He pointed out that on July 3, it was also decided that the MOHW would convene an expert meeting and a meeting with industry associations on July 4. This was to obtain scientific validation on one hand, and to understand the industry associations' requirements and common practices for the entire incident on the other. Furthermore, an investigation is underway to determine if Chung-Lien was involved in delayed reporting, concealed reporting, or providing false information. If found to be true, they will be heavily fined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

Cho Jung-tai said that on July 6, another meeting was convened to ascertain the number of second-tier manufacturers, meaning 360 downstream businesses were affected by the problematic oil, and their names were released. Concurrently, based on the conclusions of the July 4 expert meeting, processed products containing 20% or more of the affected soybean salad oil must be immediately removed from shelves. For those not exceeding the limit, manufacturers are required to conduct self-testing and provide safety certifications so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.

He stated that since the request to release the list of 360 manufacturers and their oil products was made at midnight yesterday, the FDA is mobilizing its personnel to expedite the comparison process, hoping to release the complete list as soon as possible so that the public can access product information based on scientific standards.

Cho Jung-tai pointed out that the government is also simultaneously assessing issues that may arise if Chung-Lien is unable to resume production. The government must maintain supply balance and price stability to care for the public's livelihood, and the MOHW and the Ministry of Agriculture have begun to formulate plans. Additionally, the Ministry of Education has already investigated affected schools. Fortunately, it is currently summer vacation, so school lunch provisions are not involved. However, based on past incidents, a clear investigation is still necessary.

Cho Jung-tai emphasized that no government would neglect to address food safety issues. The government is actively handling the situation but must also consider the rigor and accuracy of the entire data content and hopes to explain it to the nation in the clearest possible way.

When asked by a reporter if Minister of Health and Welfare Shieh Jhy-wey and FDA Director-General Chiang Yu-kai should resign to take responsibility, Cho Jung-tai only responded, "They are already doing this work." (Editor: Yang Kai-hsiang) 1150707

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