Carcinogen Levels Exceeded in Cooking Oil; Taichung KMT Councilors Urge Stricter Penalties for Delayed Reporting

(CNA, Taichung, July 8) - Following the discovery of excessive carcinogens in Taichung-based Chung Lien Oil's soybean salad oil, KMT councilors in the Taichung City Council convened a press conference today, urging the central government to conduct a comprehensive investigation and disclose the distribution channels of the problematic oil. They also called for amendments to the Food Safety and Sanitation Act to increase penalties for delayed reporting and violations.

The controversy surrounding Chung Lien Oil's soybean salad oil, which was found to contain excessive levels of the carcinogen "benzopyrene," continues to escalate. Taichung City Councilors from the New Alliance faction, including KMT members Wu Cheng-hsien, Chiu Ai-shan, Huang Chia-tien, Yang Ta-hung, Chen Wen-cheng, and independent councilor Lin Hao-yu, held a joint press conference today, emphasizing that food safety knows no political divide and that the central and local governments should jointly protect public health.

Yang Ta-hung stated that the central government's food safety policies are inconsistent and standards vary, leading to local authorities being overwhelmed. He called for a thorough review of the "Food Safety and Sanitation Act," to increase administrative and criminal liabilities for delayed reporting, concealment of information, and the sale of problematic food products. He also urged for increased inspection frequency and self-testing standards for high-risk food production processes to reduce food safety risks at the source.

Huang Chia-tien suggested abolishing the mechanism that relies solely on industry self-inspection and implementing mandatory third-party inspections instead. She also proposed establishing a 24-hour mandatory reporting system and a whistleblower system, significantly increasing fines for violations to a maximum of NT$30 million, or even based on a proportion of corporate revenue, to safeguard public food safety with the strictest and most transparent system and prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Chiu Ai-shan stated that the central government should immediately take responsibility, disclose the distribution channels of the problematic oil, improve the return and exchange mechanism, and comprehensively ensure the safety of school lunches, community care points, and meals for the elderly, so that children can eat with peace of mind and seniors can dine without worry, thereby rebuilding public trust in food safety.

Lin Hao-yu, Chen Wen-cheng, Wu Cheng-hsien, and others also urged the central government to address systemic deficiencies and expedite legislative amendments to establish a more transparent and rigorous food safety management mechanism, rebuild public confidence in food safety, and protect the health of all citizens.

Chen Yen-hung, Director of the Consumer Protection Office of the Taichung City Legal Affairs Bureau, stated at the conference that public concern stems from the incomplete disclosure of information regarding the problematic oil. Consumers who have purchased the affected products can apply for returns at the original point of sale or manufacturer with proof of purchase or the product itself. The possibility of a class-action lawsuit is still under evaluation. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150708

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