Government to Support Class Action Lawsuits! Chen Shih-chung: Food Safety Fund to Cover Legal Costs; Returns Accepted with Receipts or Even Empty Bottles

Regarding the nationwide concern over the Chung Lian oil contamination incident, the Executive Yuan held a press conference today (9th), with spokesperson Lee Hui-chih conveying the stern instructions of Premier Cho Jung-tai. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung jointly explained the latest response measures. The Executive Yuan emphasized that there is no compromise on food safety and has ordered the complete preventive withdrawal of all non-compliant oils and their products manufactured by Chung Lian between April and June, to be completed by noon tomorrow (10th). Chen Shih-chung pledged that the government will assist in collective litigation, with litigation and administrative costs subsidized by the Food Safety Fund. The return mechanism will follow the principles of 'strict, preferential, and simplified'—accepting not only invoices and purchase vouchers but also used empty containers for returns.

Data Concealment Revealed: Multiple Discrepancies in Test Results

During the press conference, FDA Director General Chiang Chih-kang detailed the timeline of the company's 'concealment process.' According to the investigation, Chung Lian Oil first detected超标 (exceeding standards) on April 4 this year. Nan Chiao Company's internal testing on May 13 also found an不合格 (unqualified) value of 4.6 PPB, and SGS detected a high level of 8 PPB on June 4. However, Chung Lian, along with three major downstream companies—Fushou, Fumao, and Taishan—held an internal meeting on June 15, collectively acknowledging the oil's abnormalities, yet chose to remain silent and failed to report to the competent authority as required by the Food Safety Act, only initiating voluntary reporting under pressure on the afternoon of June 30.

Additionally, on July 7, Changhua County's Health Bureau reported that a blended oil with 94% soybean oil content tested positive for 2.5 PPB of carcinogens, with the contamination source estimated to be Chung Lian. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih-Chung Liang stated that the significant discrepancies between the self-inspection data provided by the companies and the official inspection results clearly indicate a complete failure of the self-management system.

Expansion of Preventive Withdrawal: Tomorrow at Noon is the Final Deadline

To safeguard the most basic food safety for the public, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the strictest preventive withdrawal measures to date. Shih-Chung Liang pointed out that in addition to previously withdrawn specific batches, all oils produced by Chung Lian from April to June, as well as first- and second-tier food products using these oils as raw materials, must be fully withdrawn from the market.

Shih-Chung Liang emphasized: 'Until safety is confirmed through testing, we will not allow the public to be exposed to any risk.' Local health bureaus will fully supervise and enforce this withdrawal order. He stressed that any non-compliant products still on the market after noon tomorrow will be subject to heavy penalties under the Food Safety Act, with no leniency.

Chen Shih-chung: Government to Support Collective Litigation; Returns Under the Most Lenient Standards

Chen Shih-chung emphasized at the press conference that the current administration's top priority is 'risk control' to ensure public reassurance. He pointed out that self-management systems have failed among these major manufacturers and must be comprehensively addressed in the future. He assured the public: 'By noon tomorrow, problematic related products will no longer be available for purchase on the market. Please rest assured.'

Regarding consumer rights protection for victims, Chen announced that the government will assist consumers and consumer protection groups in collective litigation, with litigation and administrative costs funded by the 'Food Safety Fund.' For the return mechanism, relevant ministries and manufacturers have discussed and established the principle of 'strict, preferential, and simplified'—accepting returns with invoices, purchase vouchers, or even used empty containers, ensuring maximum protection for the public.

Initiating Legal Reforms to Close Food Safety Management Loopholes

Shih-Chung Liang added that this incident has exposed loopholes in the coordination between third-party testing agencies and manufacturers. The Executive Yuan has instructed the revision of the Food Safety Act, requiring third-party testing agencies to promptly and proactively report abnormal results to the competent authority, not merely submitting reports to manufacturers for concealment. Additionally, inspection frequency for high-risk processes will be increased, and a comprehensive monitoring system from source to post-market will be strengthened to completely eliminate any侥幸 (侥幸 means侥幸 compliance) by unscrupulous manufacturers.

In response to yesterday's criticism by Kuomintang legislators accusing the government of 'covering up,' Shih-Chung Liang emphasized that there has been no 'cover-up,' but rather disclosures have been made based on scientific evidence as investigations progress. He urged the public to jointly supervise and restore confidence in Taiwan's food safety.