Latest Update on Contaminated Oil Case: TFDA Releases Risk Assessment Decision, 19 Batches of Soybean Salad Oil to Return to Shelves

On the 21st, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) convened a 'Food Risk Assessment Advisory Meeting.' After comprehensive review of inspection results, verification of upstream and downstream product distribution, and food safety risk assessment, and in accordance with the advisory committee's recommendations, the TFDA announced that 19 out of 30 batches of soybean salad oil produced by Chung Lien Oils from April to June 2026 have been tested and confirmed to meet food safety standards, and will be relisted effective immediately. The advisory committee issued three key decisions:

First, 7 batches of non-compliant oil products and 1 batch without test samples will remain prohibited from sale and will enter the destruction process. Among Chung Lien's production from April to June 2026, 7 batches were confirmed to contain benzo[a]pyrene levels exceeding legal limits in either upstream crude oil or downstream finished products, violating the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act. These 7 batches and their related products will not be allowed to return to the market. The TFDA has instructed local health authorities to supervise and initiate destruction procedures. Additionally, one batch, primarily intended for export, lacks retained samples for testing and is also excluded from relisting.

Second, 19 batches of oil products and their related items have all passed inspections and are permitted to return to shelves. Adhering to the three principles of 'source segregation, batch-by-batch confirmation, and upstream-downstream verification,' the TFDA stipulates that only batches with verified compliant upstream crude oil and confirmed traceability to downstream finished products may be relisted. Therefore, the 19 batches that meet inspection standards and their related products may resume sales in accordance with regulations.

Third, 3 batches of unshipped crude oil remain under regulatory control and are not included in this relisting. Chung Lien has 3 additional batches of crude oil that have passed inspection but remain detained and controlled by health authorities, with no market distribution. As such, they are not involved in the current relisting and fall outside the scope of this announcement.

The TFDA reiterated its appreciation to downstream and midstream businesses for cooperating with the government's emergency response measures since July 9 by implementing a comprehensive preventive withdrawal. The TFDA emphasized that the decision on whether products can return to market is based on scientific inspection results and risk assessment deliberations by the 'Food Risk Assessment Advisory Meeting.' Products confirmed to violate regulations remain under withdrawal and are prohibited from relisting, while only those confirmed to meet food safety requirements are allowed to return, ensuring market safety and protecting consumer rights.