Zhonglian Oil Re-Listing Principles: Shih Chong-liang Emphasizes Balancing Business Rights and Consumer Demand

(Taipei, April 14, reporter Shen Pei-yao) The re-listing principles for products 'precautionarily recalled' due to excessive benzopyrene levels in Zhonglian Oils were announced today. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chong-liang stated that the precautionary recall was an unavoidable decision affecting over 1,000 businesses, but stressed the need to balance business operators' rights and consumer demand.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced this morning the re-listing principles for products involved in the Zhonglian incident. Instead of testing samples provided by Zhonglian, the focus will shift to inspecting 52 crude oil samples and 321 oil products manufactured from them by three major downstream companies—Fumao Oils, Fushou, and Taishan. Testing is expected to be completed within one week, and products meeting safety standards will be allowed to return to shelves.

Shih Chong-liang spoke at the 12th Outstanding and Veteran Model Healthcare Personnel Awards Ceremony and press conference hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare Hospital this morning, providing an update on the Zhonglian Oils case. He emphasized that Zhonglian will not be permitted to resume operations until the entire production process is verified as safe.

Shih explained that on July 9, the Ministry announced precautionary measures at the highest level after discovering inconsistencies in multiple data comparisons. To ensure public health, all related products manufactured by Zhonglian between April and June were required to be fully recalled.

According to information from the FDA, Zhonglian Oils produced 29 batches of oil products from April to June. Three batches were not shipped and were confirmed by FDA testing to meet safety standards. Another five batches were found不合格 by downstream manufacturers, leading to mandatory recalls of all related upstream and downstream products.

Regarding the inspection process, Shih detailed a 'source- and item-specific' three-stage verification model. Due to the diverse forms of end-food products, a unified testing standard is difficult to apply. Therefore, the core criterion will be the hygienic safety standard for 'benzopyrene (BaP)' in oil products.

Shih admitted that Zhonglian's sample test results were inconsistent with downstream product findings, casting doubt on their credibility. As such, Zhonglian's data will not be accepted. Instead, the focus will be on 52 crude oil samples supplied by Zhonglian to three major oil refiners—Taishan, Fumao, and Fushou—and the 321 oil product samples derived from them, with testing to be completed within one week.

He emphasized that these 52 crude oil samples will be cross-referenced with the 321 downstream oil products. 'If traceability reveals alignment with upstream problematic batches, re-listing will be strictly prohibited.' Only when all segments of the supply chain meet regulatory standards will the government, based on scientific evidence, gradually announce qualified products for re-listing.

When asked why the re-listing principles, originally expected yesterday, were delayed until this morning, Shih explained that a large volume of new data was received yesterday, requiring intensive internal discussions. To ensure accuracy and accommodate media reporting timelines, the full announcement was postponed to today, for which he apologized.

Regarding well-known products like Din Tai Fung's frozen gift boxes being included in the recall list, he explained that the precautionary recall aims to reduce risk. With over 1,000 businesses affected and widespread product dispersion, the impact is significant. Even if some products have not yet tested超标, this measure is an 'unavoidable decision' to ensure public peace of mind.

In response to opposition parties planning to file charges against him for alleged dereliction of duty, Shih stated that all his actions are open to public scrutiny and he will humbly accept societal judgment. As for concerns about the professional qualifications of the involved company's management leading to concealment, investigative authorities have already launched probes. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has handed over collected evidence to prosecutors. Companies found guilty of malicious concealment or delayed reporting, preventing timely regulatory intervention, must bear corresponding legal responsibility. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150714