Man Released on NT$100,000 Bail for Spreading False Claim That TFDA Suppressed Zhonglian Carcinogenic Oil Case for WHA

The Zhonglian carcinogenic oil scandal continues to escalate. A user on the social media platform Threads recently posted that a 'Zhonglian whistleblower' revealed the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) had received notification of benzopyrene (BaP)超标 in April but allegedly asked the company to remain silent due to its participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May. The TFDA swiftly clarified that this was false information. On the 17th, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, directing the Investigation Bureau's Information Security Task Force and the Southern Crime-Fighting Center of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, conducted a source investigation, summoning the suspect, surnamed Hsu, for questioning. After interrogation, the Taipei prosecutors ordered Hsu to be released on NT$100,000 bail. Hsu's post claimed that Zhonglian's soybean salad oil was found to exceed benzopyrene limits in April and had already been reported to the authorities, but due to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's WHA participation, the company was asked to keep it confidential and await government instructions, sparking online discussions and public concern. The TFDA subsequently issued a statement emphasizing that these claims were untrue and reminded the public that spreading false food safety information may violate the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act or the Social Order Maintenance Act. According to the Food Safety Act, spreading false food safety information can result in up to three years in prison, detention, or a fine of up to NT$1 million. Upon reporting, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office instructed the Taipei District Prosecutors Office to open an investigation. Law enforcement traced the IP address and identified Hsu as the suspect. He was summoned in the afternoon of the 17th and transferred to the Taipei prosecutors for further questioning in the evening. After interrogation, prosecutors determined Hsu is suspected of violating the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act by spreading false food safety information and ordered him released on NT$100,000 bail. The case remains under investigation. The Taipei prosecutors urged the public to verify the authenticity of information before sharing, warning against spreading unverified rumors to avoid legal consequences.