Zhonglian Toxic Oil Scandal Widens! Lo Ting-wei Exposes Four Major Pressures from Executive Yuan: Allegedly Preventing Taichung from Inspecting Factories

The Zhonglian toxic oil incident has intensified after DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng's heated exchange with commentator Huang Yang-ming on a political talk show went viral online, triggering widespread public outrage. In response, KMT chairperson Cheng Li-chun and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an launched a July 25 anti-toxic oil march. Although Executive Yuan Premier Cho Jung-tai apologized, Yuan spokesperson Lee Hui-chih posted on Facebook questioning Taichung City's actions.

In response, legislator Lo Ting-wei raised four key concerns on Facebook today (18th), accusing the Executive Yuan of pressuring Taichung. Lee emphasized that central authorities did conduct factory inspections, calling Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen's claim of no inspections 'factually incorrect.' Regarding the toxic oil's distribution, Taichung's deputy mayor had already reported at the Executive Yuan meeting on July 9, and 'central government data always originates from local governments.'

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated it compiles and cross-checks data provided by local governments to prevent misinformation from causing public panic and market disruption. A dedicated website section has been established to publicly disclose product distribution and incident updates. Therefore, Lu's claim that 'the central government pressured against releasing distribution data' is false. Related products have also been recalled, making Lu's accusation that 'the central government requested no recalls' completely untrue.

Lo Ting-wei criticized the Executive Yuan for denying facts despite knowing the truth, accusing it of living in a parallel reality. He posed four questions: First, did the Ministry of Health and Welfare on July 5 say 'we really don't know what Taichung's health bureau went to check' and 'there was no need to inspect,' thereby pressuring Taichung not to conduct inspections? Second, did the Ministry on July 3 refuse to disclose the list of downstream businesses, claiming 'second-tier businesses are also victims'? Third, did the Ministry on July 4 refuse to recall oil products containing less than 20% carcinogenic substances? Finally, did Premier Cho Jung-tai criticize Taichung at the July 9 meeting for 'rushing to announce first'?

Lo condemned the alleged directives to prevent Taichung from inspecting factories, disclosing distribution paths, and recalling oil with less than 20% carcinogens as factual. He blamed the Lai administration's chaotic governance for forcing the public to consume toxic oil and urged citizens to take to the streets in protest.