Soybean Oil Inspection: Chung-Lien Passes, Nan-Chiao Fails; Experts Cite Sampling Variables

(CNA) Taipei, July 7 - The case of carcinogenic substances found in soybean salad oil is fraught with doubts. In two inspections of the same batch in April, Chung-Lien passed while Nan-Chiao failed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has handed over the discrepancy to investigators for clarification, while experts almost universally pointed to sampling variations as a factor, urging large food manufacturers to establish in-house laboratories to ensure food safety.

Chung-Lien's soybean salad oil was found to have exceeded the limit for the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene. The public is concerned about the timeline of the incident. The soybean oil in question was produced on April 4. Chung-Lien sent raw materials and products to SGS Taiwan Ltd. on April 13. The results showed no benzo(a)pyrene detected in the soybean raw material, and 1.6 μg/kg in the soybean salad oil, which is within the standard of 2.0 μg/kg and complies with regulations. Nan-Chiao conducted its own inspection on April 14, with results showing 4.6 μg/kg.

When asked by the media why the same batch of oil changed from compliant to non-compliant within a few days, FDA Director-General Chiang Tze-hsiang stated at a press conference today that there are many possible reasons involved. The FDA will compile the current information, including relevant procedures and potential false records, and provide opinions and suggestions to investigators to help clarify whether illegal activities occurred within the facility. The FDA will continue to fully cooperate with and support the investigation.

Professor Hsu Mei-ling, Chairperson of the Taiwan Association for Poison Control, told CNA reporters this evening that even when samples are sent to nationally accredited testing units, inevitable outcomes can still arise from many coincidences. Contamination during transport, variations in operator procedures, especially when testing personnel are insufficient and overburdened, can easily lead to problems. Even internal sampling by companies can have discrepancies. Too many reasons exist, and assigning blame to a single party might be unfair.

Hsu Mei-ling stated that, for example, in academic research experiments, blind testing is usually employed, with samples sent to three units simultaneously to ensure testing quality, but this also increases costs. After this oil incident, a review should be conducted on how to balance ensuring testing quality with controlling costs, and to continuously improve the system through each incident to prevent similar events from recurring.

Professor Lee Ching-hao of the Department of Physiology at Taipei Medical University pointed out that the key lies in sampling. In fact, oil tanks are very large, and sampling from different levels might yield different results. Normally, every food company has a standard procedure for internal sampling, which includes sampling from both the upper and lower parts of the tank. If samples are collected from every part, abnormalities should be discovered quickly.

"I believe that detecting 1.6 μg/kg is already an abnormality," Lee Ching-hao said. Carcinogen content testing is like a health check report; one should not only be vigilant when red flags appear but should also compare it with past changes in their own data each time. Based on known information, Chung-Lien's soybean salad oil has never tested positive for benzo(a)pyrene in the past. Quality control should raise an alarm when data fluctuations are observed.

"I believe Chung-Lien did not intend to conceal anything." Professor Hsieh Chang-wei, a distinguished professor at the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology at National Chung Hsing University, also highlighted sampling issues. He believes that sampling frequency and sample homogeneity are very important. Furthermore, the fact that Chung-Lien, as such a large food company, does not have an in-house laboratory, while Nan-Chiao does, are both potential reasons for the testing discrepancies. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150707)

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