Shih Confirms Cho Jung-tai Ordered Reconsideration of Carcinogenic Oil Recall: Huang Kuo-chang Fumes, 'Cho Must Apologize and Resign!'

As the carcinogenic oil scandal escalates, the KMT Legislative Caucus accused Health and Welfare Minister Shih Jong-yueh of personally confirming that as early as the 3rd, he reported to Premier Cho Jung-tai on a plan to 'only recall first-tier oil products,' with Cho's instruction being just four words: 'should reconsider.' In response, Taiwan People's Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang posted on Facebook criticizing Cho for making wrong decisions behind the scenes and then hiding after causing chaos. 'The Premier’s conduct is utterly irresponsible and absurd. Cho Jung-tai should immediately apologize to the public and resign!'

What did Cho Jung-tai instruct during the meeting on the 3rd?

Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih stated that Cho’s instruction was absolutely not limited to just four words, calling such claims 'complete quote-mining.' During the meeting, Cho first instructed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a comprehensive inspection of manufacturers and provide regular public updates. Second, he directed the FDA to convene an expert meeting and an industry association forum on the 4th to confirm the scientific basis for expanding preventive recalls to second-tier manufacturers' products, verify any violations of the Food Safety Act, and enable local governments to impose penalties.

Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih (pictured) stated that Premier Cho Jung-tai first instructed the FDA on the 3rd to conduct a full inspection of manufacturers and report progress to the public. (Photo by Ko Cheng-hui)

Huang Kuo-chang criticized Cho for causing nationwide chaos, finally forcing Minister Shih on the 9th to announce that all oils produced by Zhonglian from April to June, and their derived products, must be subject to preventive recall by 12:00 PM on the 10th—overturning the previous illegal and ridiculous 20% threshold.

Huang pointed out that critical measures concerning public food safety were delayed for over a week. 'Why wasn’t a full recall demanded immediately?' he questioned. On the 8th, during legislative questioning, Shih finally admitted that before the 20% threshold was set, Cho had convened a meeting with the Ministry of Health and the FDA, instructing them to 'reconsider' the recall—causing delays and leading to the next day’s disastrous recall standard.

Huang Kuo-chang: Key meeting not submitted to the legislature

Huang criticized that this crucial meeting was not included in the report submitted by the Food Safety Office to the legislature on the 8th. 'What are they hiding? Can public health be arbitrarily decided in secret?' He initially thought Cho’s post-incident silence showed a lack of accountability, but now realizes Cho made flawed decisions behind the scenes and then hid after causing damage. 'A Premier acting this irresponsibly is utterly absurd. Cho Jung-tai must immediately apologize and resign!'

More exclusive reports from Storm Media: · 'No time limit' on Zhonglian shutdown! Cho Jung-tai announces 5 measures on carcinogenic oil: support group lawsuits, lenient returns · KMT claims Shih 'confirmed Cho covered up carcinogenic oil' — Executive Yuan releases full timeline: 'Absolutely quote-mining' · Nan Chiao whistleblower penalized 3 million for exposing toxic oil — Engineer cites standard, accuses government: 'Punishing those who raise problems'