Chung Lien Oils Case: Hou Yu-ih Stresses Source Traceability Before Relisting

(Central News Agency reporter Wang Hung-kuo, New Taipei, 14th) New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih today responded to the Chung Lien Oils case and the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) announcement of three principles for relisting products, stating that the source must first be thoroughly traced and clarified before any relisting can be considered. He warned against hastily relisting products before the origin is fully understood.

All products from Chung Lien Oils have been proactively taken off shelves. Today, the FDA announced three relisting principles: 'source separation, batch-by-batch verification, and upstream-downstream cross-checking.' It emphasized that five batches previously found to contain benzopyrene levels exceeding standards have been excluded, and only products with verified合格 results across both upstream and downstream supply chains may be relisted.

Speaking at a press conference at city hall today, Hou addressed these three relisting principles, stating, 'We must first clarify the facts. Since there were forged and fabricated test samples, we must trace the source thoroughly before any possibility of relisting can be considered.'

He added, 'Before the entire source is completely clarified, we should not hastily relist products. If we do so prematurely, the public will remain uneasy. Only after the oil products—from upstream to midstream to downstream—have all been thoroughly cleaned and confirmed safe should relisting be considered. I hope the central government will reconsider: is now the right time to relist? Clarify the facts first.'

Regarding the proposed amendments to the Food Safety Act, Hou stated, 'This is something that should have been done long ago.' He emphasized that not only should inspection standards at the source be strengthened, but violations of food safety regulations must also be strictly investigated and punished. Stricter laws reflect a genuine commitment to food safety.

Hou stressed, 'Food safety standards will only become stricter, not more lenient. Management must be based on scientific evidence and increasingly rigorous. The standards for safeguarding food safety and public health will only become more meticulous, thorough, and strict. Only such a government can earn the people's trust.' (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150714