Rejecting 'Cover-Up' Allegations! Kung Ming-hsin Clarifies Oil Product Truth: Semi-finished Goods Sealed at CPC, No Leakage; Taisugar Fulfilled Buyer Responsibilities

In response to recent public concerns over the Taisugar oil product controversy, with some local leaders accusing the central government of a 'cover-up,' Economic Affairs Minister Kung Ming-hsin emphasized today (3rd) that facts must be based on systematic investigations. According to statements from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and local governments in Tainan and Kaohsiung, Taisugar was not the designated reporting entity and did not have the legal obligation to report. Therefore, allegations of 'information concealment' are inconsistent with the facts.

Kung presented three key facts to clarify public misunderstanding. First, the disputed oil products were purely 'semi-finished goods,' sealed and stored in barrels from the outset, never entering refining or packaging processes, and not a single drop reached retail markets or consumers. This indicates the issue was intercepted at the production stage, and the public need not panic.

Second, regarding legal reporting responsibilities, Kung clarified ownership. He pointed out that the oil batch had always been stored within CPC’s facility and never moved out, and Taisugar was not the owner. Under current regulations, if abnormal oil products are discovered, the reporting obligation falls on the owner—CPC—to notify local authorities in their jurisdiction. Thus, Taisugar had no reporting duty.

Third, Kung affirmed Taisugar’s role as a vigilant 'buyer.' He revealed that during procurement inspection, Taisugar detected the oil’s non-compliance with quality standards and immediately rejected the shipment. It was precisely this rejection that led to the batch being sealed in place, preventing substandard raw materials from entering the production line. He stated this demonstrates Taisugar’s pre-inspection mechanism effectively served as a 'preventive barrier.'

Finally, Kung urged that Taisugar is not the governing authority for food safety inspections but merely a market buyer. The actual inspection authority lies with local governments. Only through more frequent surprise inspections on upstream manufacturers can侥幸 mentalities among bad actors be deterred at the source. He emphasized the government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on food safety, but investigations must follow legal procedures. In this case, Taisugar acted as a defensive gatekeeper, not a violator.