Zhonglian Oil Products May Relist; Taichung Mayor Lu Calls for Cause Investigation First

(Central News Agency reporter Hao Hsueh-ching, Taichung, April 14) The investigation and recall of Zhonglian oil products due to超标 levels of carcinogens continue. Regarding the central government's announcement today outlining principles for relisting the products after passing inspections, Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen stated that the cause of the issue has not yet been clarified, and rushing to relist the products is absolutely unacceptable. She emphasized that the root cause must be investigated first before deciding whether to relist.

Mayor Lu expressed her differing views on the central government's plan to relist oil products during a media briefing before attending a city council meeting this morning.

The incident involving超标 benzo[a]pyrene levels in Zhonglian Oils' soybean salad oil continues to escalate, with related products being pulled from shelves. The central government plans to announce today that products passing inspection may be relisted. However, Lu Hsiu-yen pointed out that multiple batches of problematic oil have already been identified, with five batches confirmed to exceed safety limits. The public is deeply concerned about how such a large-scale distribution of carcinogen-contaminated oil occurred—whether due to raw material issues or problems in the manufacturing process—and urged the central government to quickly clarify the cause and provide a transparent explanation to the public.

Lu emphasized that it is 'absolutely unacceptable' for the central government to rush the relisting policy without first identifying the root cause. She reiterated that the cause must be thoroughly investigated before any decision on relisting is made. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150714