Chung Lien Oil Case: Lai Ching-te Calls for Legislative Caucus and Executive Yuan Cooperation to Amend Food Safety Law

Taipei, July 8 (CNA) Regarding the food safety controversy arising from excessive carcinogens found in Chung Lien oil products, President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as the Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), today proposed four principles, emphasizing that there is no room for compromise on food safety. He also stated that the legislative caucus should cooperate with the Executive Yuan to jointly discuss amendments to the Food Safety Act, further enhancing food safety protections.

During a meeting of the DPP's Central Executive Committee today, Lai Ching-te addressed the food safety incident involving Chung Lien oil, stating that the government upholds the principle of zero tolerance for food safety issues and that central and local governments should collaborate.

Lai Ching-te outlined four points: First, production facilities should be ordered to cease operations if necessary. Second, products should be recalled comprehensively. Third, precautionary recalls should be actively implemented. Fourth, it is highly unacceptable that companies like Chung Lien oil encountered problems. The failure to immediately notify the competent authorities deprived them of the opportunity to resolve the issue in a timely manner, and those responsible should be prosecuted according to the law.

Lai Ching-te stated that the legislative caucus should also cooperate with the Executive Yuan to jointly discuss amendments to the Food Safety Act, in order to further enhance future food safety protections.

In addition, as the case of excessive benzo(a)pyrene in Chung Lien oil products continues to escalate, several Kuomintang (KMT) legislators today proposed a motion at the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Committee, demanding that Premier Cho Jung-tai, Minister of Health and Welfare Shieh Jhy-wey, and Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration Wu Show-mei should step down to take responsibility.

DPP spokesperson Lin Chu-yin stated in a post-meeting press conference that the DPP has zero tolerance for food safety issues and will prosecute according to the law. However, she added that if the KMT intends to use political maneuvering to shift focus, it is unnecessary, as it will not benefit the improvement of food safety. (Edited by: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150708

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