Government Clarifies Timeline of Chung-Hsing Oil Incident, Denies Cover-up

(CNA, Taipei, July 9) Following the discovery of excessive levels of carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene in Chung-Hsing Oil products, opposition parties have questioned the government's alleged cover-up and deliberate delay in announcing the downstream distribution. The Executive Yuan stated today that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) initiated management measures, recall mechanisms, convened expert meetings, and informed the public immediately after receiving notification of this major food safety incident on June 30. The entire process was not delayed and there was absolutely no cover-up.

At today's Executive Yuan meeting, the MOHW reported on "The Chung-Hsing Oil Soybean Salad Oil Incident: Government Response and Improvement Measures." Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-chih, speaking at the post-meeting press conference, relayed Premier Cho Jung-tai's instructions during the meeting to expand precautionary recalls, assist consumer groups in legal action, simplify the return process, impose an indefinite suspension on Chung-Hsing Oil prior to clarifying the issue, and initiate amendments to food safety laws.

Regarding the opposition's accusations of a government cover-up and intentional delay in disclosing downstream distribution, Li Hui-chih stated that the MOHW immediately launched management measures upon receiving notification of this major food safety incident on June 30. In addition to commencing investigations with the Taichung food safety department, it rapidly activated various recall mechanisms, requiring local health bureaus to recall first-tier products by noon on July 3.

Li Hui-chih said that on the afternoon of July 3, Premier Cho Jung-tai asked the MOHW and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a progress report on the case. His instructions were: first, for the FDA to comprehensively investigate affected second-tier manufacturers and report the investigation progress to the public; second, to require the FDA to convene an expert meeting on July 4 to confirm the scientific basis for precautionary recalls of second-tier products; and third, to determine if manufacturers violated the Food Safety and Sanitation Act and to supervise local governments in imposing penalties.

Premier Cho Jung-tai convened another meeting on July 6. Li Hui-chih pointed out that during the meeting, Premier Cho instructed the FDA to stop reporting information through local governments and instead directly request complete data from upstream manufacturers. Administrative actions would be dynamically adjusted based on the latest data, and the investigation progress would be reported to the public.

Li Hui-chih stated that throughout the entire process, the government conducted investigations where necessary, disclosed information where required, and imposed penalties as mandated. There was no delay and absolutely no cover-up. Taichung Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung, who attended the Executive Yuan meeting today, also mentioned that "neither the central nor local governments are covering anything up," indicating that local authorities do not believe the central government has engaged in a cover-up.

Li Hui-chih emphasized that ensuring food safety and public peace of mind is the most important issue now, not political rhetoric. The government's current priorities are food safety and typhoon preparedness, while the Legislative Yuan should expedite budget reviews to prevent a situation where both the current fiscal year's and the next fiscal year's central government budgets are awaiting review simultaneously.

Executive Yuan Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung, also present at the press conference, stated that looking at the entire response timeline, the main problems were the failure of industry self-regulation and concealment by manufacturers. Future amendments to relevant laws will address self-regulation comprehensively.

Minister of Health and Welfare Shiu-chuan Shiu also explained at the press conference that the administrative team has never engaged in a cover-up. Instead, based on scientific evidence and investigation progress, information is released as it is uncovered, always prioritizing scientific evidence and public health. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150709

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