Is the Mastermind Behind the Toxic Oil Scandal a Major Fugitive? Wanted for Murder and Stock Manipulation, He's Now Linked to Zhonglian Oils

With about four months remaining until the 2026 county and city mayoral elections, the food safety scandal triggered by the toxic oil incident continues to escalate. Seven batches of Zhonglian Oils' 'cancer-causing oil products' have now been recalled, exceeding 2,800 metric tons. Meanwhile, prosecutors sought pre-trial detention for Chen, the plant manager of Zhonglian Oils, over超标 (excessive carcinogen levels), but the court ruled he had cooperated with the investigation and on the 23rd ordered him released on a NT$1 million bail.

Regarding the entire toxic oil incident, 'Stock Person Ah Xun' posted on Facebook today (24) under the title 'All of Taiwan Is Eating Carcinogenic Oil! Is the Ultimate Boss Behind This Oil Plant a Major Fugitive?' He revealed that Zhonglian Oils supplies vast quantities of cooking oil to households and the military across Taiwan. Its soybean salad oil was found to contain carcinogens four times the legal limit. However, the actual controller of the oil plant is suspected to be Zhu Guorong—a fugitive wanted for murder, robbery, and financial crimes who fled after skipping bail. 'This is like a movie plot!' he exclaimed.

Who is behind Zhonglian Oils? Who is Zhu Guorong?

Ah Xun stated in his post that while the general manager of Zhonglian Oils is suspected of knowing and concealing the truth, the real horror lies in the background of the plant’s actual controller—more dramatic than a gangster film. According to available information, Zhu Guorong was born in China, joined the Communist Party's Pioneer Team, then smuggled himself into Hong Kong and became involved with triads. He committed a robbery and murder in Macau, serving as the real-life prototype for the film 'The Teahouse.' He later smuggled himself into Taiwan, underwent reform education on Lüdao (Green Island), and somehow obtained a Republic of China ID card. In Taiwan, he built a fortune in the funeral and financial sectors, rising to become a billionaire tycoon.

In recent years, he was sentenced to a heavy prison term for stock market manipulation. In 2025, he skipped bail worth NT$500 million and fled overseas on a luxury yacht. 'After Longbang Group seized control, Zhu Guorong’s trusted lieutenant took over Zhonglian Oils.' This implies that a fugitive wanted for murder, robbery, and financial crimes still holds de facto control over the salad oil consumed daily by Taiwan’s civilians and military personnel!

How did the toxic oil scandal erupt? How much oil was affected?

Looking back, in July 2026, downstream companies conducting independent inspections discovered that Zhonglian Oils' 'soybean salad oil' contained benzo[a]pyrene levels exceeding the legal standard (2ppb). They reported this to authorities, prompting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand its investigation. It was confirmed that seven batches produced between April and June 2026 exceeded safety limits. Immediate halts to distribution and full recalls were ordered.

The contaminated oil flowed into brands such as Taisun, Fushou, and Fumao, then into food processing and catering industries. On July 23, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s FDA issued its first 'list of products eligible for restocking'—19 approved batches totaling 501 products made by Taisun, Fumao, and Fushou. However, the decision to restock was left to individual companies.

What is the judicial progress in the carcinogenic oil case? Zhonglian’s Chen released on bail after court appearance

On the judicial front, on the 9th, Taichung District Prosecutors Office (TDPO), leading police and investigative units, searched four companies: Zhonglian Oils, Fushou Industrial, Fumao, and Taisun. Equipment and evidence were seized, and 11 defendants—including chairpersons from all four firms—were summoned. On the 17th, Taichung District Court ordered the pre-trial detention of Yu Ling, Zhonglian Oils’ general manager.

On the 22nd, investigators searched the residences of three defendants: Chen, the plant manager of Zhonglian; Jiang, deputy head of the essential oil division; and another Chen, deputy head of product R&D. After questioning, the plant manager was formally detained, but the court ruled he had cooperated with the investigation and ordered him released on a NT$1 million bail.

Notably, Lai Chung-chiang, convener of the Economic Democracy Union (EDU), posted on Facebook on the 12th under the title 'Taisun Chairman’s Warning Three Years Ago—The Past Is Not Forgotten,' directly pointing out that Taisun’s major shareholder is Zhu Guorong of Longbang Group.