Doubts linger over Chung Hsing's problematic cooking oil; food technologists suggest investigating cross-contamination

Taipei, July 8 (CNA) - The case of carcinogenic substances found in Chung Hsing's soybean salad oil remains shrouded in doubt. Initial tests showed Chung Hsing's product to be compliant while Nan-Chiao's was abnormal. Many toxicologists and related scholars believe this was due to sampling variables. Food technologists suggest continuing to investigate possible routes of cross-contamination, such as in oil tank storage and during transportation by tanker trucks.

Chung Hsing's soybean salad oil exceeded the permissible limit for the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene. The public is concerned about the details of the case. The problematic soybean salad oil was produced on April 4. On April 13, Chung Hsing submitted raw materials and finished products to SGS Taiwan Ltd. The results showed no benzo(a)pyrene detected in the soybean raw material, but 1.6 μg/kg was detected in the soybean salad oil, which meets the regulatory standard of 2.0 μg/kg. Nan-Chiao conducted its own inspection on April 14, with results showing 4.6 μg/kg.

Regarding this abnormal oil product incident, the Chinese Society of Food Technologists issued a statement pointing out that the edible oil processing involves four major contamination issues: raw material sourcing and storage conditions, oil refining and processing, equipment control and validation of in-place cleaning (CIP), and packaging, transportation, and inspection monitoring, among other multiple stages.

Practicing food technologist Liu Chung-han explained to the media today that the authorities' efforts to rectify the situation should be affirmed. The administrative investigation has traced the issue from raw materials to the production process, while criminal liability still needs to be clarified by the judicial authorities. He suggests referring to the four major contamination possibilities identified by the Chinese Society of Food Technologists and continuing to track possible cross-contamination pathways such as oil tank storage and transportation tanker trucks.

Liu Chung-han reminded that the criminal liability of the oil companies involved in this incident, whether intentional or due to gross negligence, still needs to be investigated and clarified. It should be prudently determined based on the principle of presumed innocence.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced last night that Nan-Chiao, a whistleblower, was fined. Although the abnormality was discovered as early as mid-May, Nan-Chiao first notified its upstream supplier, Fwusow Industry Co., Ltd., and only reported to the health bureau on July 2, delaying the response and sparking public discussion. Liu Chung-han pointed out that even Nan-Chiao struggled, and the problematic raw oil was still made into products on the announced list, but its voluntary confession is commendable and may lead to a reduced penalty.

Liu Chung-han stated that this incident highlights how food businesses have long relied on "dual audits" and primary quality control, neglecting that proactive reporting through tertiary quality control is the core of the defense line. This ingrained practice also applies to regulatory authorities and is difficult to change quickly.

Liu Chung-han said that businesses can give back to society and repair their image through means such as donating to food safety funds, sponsoring sports teams, or establishing public welfare foundations. However, these are ultimately crisis management measures for businesses. The ultimate risk management and communication are the undeniable responsibilities of regulatory authorities. He called on the government to quickly introduce a cooperative mechanism with tertiary food technologists to strengthen the food safety certification system and prevent food safety risks from re-emerging after society forgets about this incident. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150708

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