Chung Lien Oil Case: Premier Cho Jung-tai Orders Expanded Recall, Law Revision, and Simplified Returns

(CNA) The contamination incident involving Chung Lien oil products with excessive levels of benzo[a]pyrene is escalating. Premier Cho Jung-tai announced five directives today: expanding preventive recalls, revising laws, simplifying return procedures, assisting consumer group lawsuits, and imposing an indefinite suspension on Chung Lien's operations. Chung Lien's implicated oil products from April and May are being mandatorily recalled. Other batches of oil products and related items produced between April and June must be fully recalled by noon on July 10, or face penalties.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) reported on the "Chung Lien Vegetable Oil Soybean Salad Oil Incident, Government Response and Improvement Measures" at the Executive Yuan meeting today. At a press conference following the meeting, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih relayed Premier Cho Jung-tai's five directives: expanding preventive recalls, assisting consumer group lawsuits, simplifying return mechanisms, imposing an indefinite suspension on Chung Lien's operations until the issues are clarified, and initiating revisions to food safety laws, demonstrating the government's commitment to safeguarding food safety.

Regarding the expanded preventive recall, Chung Lien oil products from April and May are being mandatorily recalled. Other batches of oil products and related items produced between April and June are also subject to preventive recall. MOHW Minister Shi Chong-liang explained at the post-meeting press conference that due to non-compliant products found in oil manufactured by Chung Lien in April and May, a comprehensive recall is in effect. Furthermore, all oil products, and first and second-tier food products manufactured by Chung Lien from April to June are subject to a comprehensive preventive recall. Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Chiang Yu-ling added at the press conference that these products must be fully recalled by noon on July 10, or penalties will be imposed.

Additionally, concerning the problematic oil reported by Taishan on July 7, Chiang Yu-ling stated that preliminary inspection reports indicated that a blended oil from Taishan, a downstream manufacturer, tested positive for excessive benzo[a]pyrene. However, when compared with results from external testing of submitted samples, the levels were within the acceptable range, indicating a discrepancy. Therefore, the FDA will adopt a strict approach to the entire inspection report.

In terms of consumer assistance, Premier Cho Jung-tai also instructed Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung to assist consumer groups with lawsuits and to simplify the return process. Chen Shih-chung explained at the press conference that the government will subsidize related expenses through the MOHW's Food Safety Fund to assist consumers in group lawsuits. For returns, the government will adopt the most lenient standards from the perspective of consumer rights, including items without proof of purchase or those that have been used, in the return requirements. Discussions on return guidelines and specific procedures are expected to be held this afternoon with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the MOHW to ensure maximum protection for the public through favorable, swift, simple, and lenient measures.

When asked by reporters whether product liability insurance held by the businesses could be applied to consumer compensation, Shi Chong-liang stated that food businesses with commercial registration, company registration, factory registration, and tax registration are required to have product liability insurance. The activation and scope of product liability insurance claims will vary depending on the policy terms and the cause of the accident. However, it will be recommended that insurance companies adopt a favorable and lenient approach in this instance.

Regarding the revision of the Food Safety Act, Premier Cho Jung-tai has requested the MOHW to immediately initiate the revision process to reconstruct the four lines of defense: "source management, process inspection, external verification, and post-market surveillance." Shi Chong-liang indicated that future revisions will increase inspection frequency for products with high risks and broad impact, require reporting of all inspection results, whether abnormal or not, to the competent authority, and strengthen the qualification recognition and role of third-party external inspections.

Regarding the indefinite suspension of Chung Lien's operations until the issues are clarified, Chen Shih-chung stated that there will be no resumption of operations until the issues are clarified and safety is ensured.

Shi Chong-liang also mentioned that while Taipei City, Taichung City, and Taoyuan City recently strongly requested a comprehensive recall of products related to the problematic oil, representatives from Taoyuan City and Taichung City inquired about when these products could be put back on the shelves when the MOHW announced the expanded preventive recall today.

He emphasized that the government will not expose the public to risks before fully ensuring safety and completing investigations. Therefore, all products with doubts will be recalled. The timing for the relisting of related oil products and items will be announced after the investigation progresses and inspection results are available. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 0709

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