TFDA Releases List of 232 Carcinogen-Contaminated Oil Products; Over 43 Tons Recalled

(Central News Agency, Taipei, July 7) Regarding the Zhonglian Oil case, which has affected as many as 360 businesses, the Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced today that it has identified 331 businesses and is tracking 29 others, with a total of 232 product details, including names, expiration dates or shelf lives, and other identifying information. A total of 43.278 metric tons have been recalled.

The carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene exceeded the limit in Zhonglian's "Soybean Salad Oil." A total of 1300 metric tons were distributed to companies such as Tai Shan, Fu Shou, and Fu Mao. As of yesterday, 18 affected products from a total of 30 batches, impacting 360 businesses, were identified. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration has established a dedicated section on its official website for the Zhonglian Oil case, updating the latest situation daily at 2 PM.

TFDA Director-General Chiang Tze-kang personally hosted a press conference this afternoon to explain the progress. Currently, among the products from 330 downstream businesses, 17 oil products are involved: 26 are for catering, 15 for processing, 2 for animal feed, and 71 are under investigation.

Additionally, products from 30 downstream businesses are bulk Grade 1 soybean oil, including 3 for catering, 5 as raw oil, 15 for processing, 3 for animal feed, and 4 under investigation.

As of 2 PM on July 7, Chiang Tze-kang stated that 43.278 tons of 18 products and 30 batches of Zhonglian Soybean Salad Oil and its repacked products have been recalled. Raw oil products such as blended oils, totaling 12 products, have completed precautionary withdrawal from shelves. Products containing 20% or more soybean salad oil, totaling 45 items, have also completed precautionary withdrawal.

As for other products (i.e., those with less than 20% content), 175 items have had their product information voluntarily disclosed by businesses.

Chiang Tze-kang mentioned that the products announced by the TFDA this time cover a range of items including edible oils, salad dressings, seasoning sauces, baking fillings, ready-to-eat foods, and flavored sauces. All information has been compiled based on the inspection results from local government health bureaus and data provided by food businesses, with product names and expiration dates (or shelf lives) publicly disclosed to help consumers quickly identify affected products.

Regarding the 232 product details released today, Chiang Tze-kang reiterated that to accelerate information disclosure, the TFDA adopts a "record one, announce one; confirm one, update one" approach. Product information is compiled from data directly interfaced by the TFDA with relevant businesses, as well as inspection results from local government health bureaus and data provided by food businesses.

The TFDA emphasized that local government health bureaus will continue post-market inspections. If affected products are found to still be displayed, sold, or supplied, they will be dealt with in accordance with relevant regulations such as the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. Finally, the TFDA called on food businesses to continue implementing self-management and information disclosure to jointly safeguard consumer rights and national food safety. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150707

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