Kaohsiung Expands Investigation into Problematic Cooking Oil, Another 20 Businesses Found Using It, All Products Pulled

(Central News Agency, reporter Lin Qiaolian, Kaohsiung, July 7) The Kaohsiung City Government continues to investigate the flow of problematic soybean salad oil from Chung Lien Oil Co., Ltd. The Health Bureau announced today an additional 20 third-tier businesses that used the problematic oil, including the Eatogether restaurant at the Far Eastern Department Store. All products have been ordered to be removed from shelves.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai instructed that any processed food confirmed to be made with the problematic oil must be immediately removed from shelves. The Health Bureau has expanded its investigation into the supply chain below the third tier to prevent problematic products from entering the market.

The Health Bureau issued a press release stating that the 20 businesses involved in selling or using the problematic oil to produce processed foods have been ordered to immediately cease sales, fully remove products from shelves, and cooperate with return and exchange procedures.

The Health Bureau stated that starting yesterday, they began investigating two new second-tier downstream businesses. Currently, the flow of problematic oil to 30 downstream businesses has been identified, and the supply situation is being traced further down the chain. Among these, Wei Yi Enterprise supplied 3 businesses, Ming De Food produced products supplied to 12 businesses, and another 5 oil sales, manufacturing, and catering businesses were confirmed to have used the problematic oil after batch number comparison, affecting a total of 20 third-tier businesses.

According to statistics from the Health Bureau, as of 10 a.m. today, 3,551.7 liters of problematic cooking oil have been recovered in Kaohsiung. The city government's food safety task force, in conjunction with the Kaohsiung City Investigation Bureau, continues to conduct special inspections of channels such as farmers' associations, food courts, restaurants, markets, night markets, and commercial districts. So far, 1,222 businesses have been inspected, and no use of problematic cooking oil has been found.

The Kaohsiung City Government stated that the safety of edible oil is crucial to public health. The city government will continue to strengthen inspections of various channels including catering, markets, night markets, and commercial districts to prevent problematic products from entering the market and to protect consumers' food safety rights. Citizens can visit the food safety section of the Kaohsiung City Health Bureau's official website and official Facebook page for the latest information on problematic cooking oil, affected businesses, and return/exchange information. (Editor: Li Xi-chang) 1150707

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