Hsinchu City Proactively Investigates Problematic Cooking Oil Affecting 16 Schools; City Government Urgently Convenes Principals' Meeting to Safeguard Campus Food Safety

On July 22, following the announcement by Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Food and Drug Administration regarding the latest batch of problematic cooking oil from Chung Lien Oils, the Hsinchu City Government immediately launched a comprehensive inspection of school lunch programs. By cross-referencing product names, batch numbers, procurement records, and meal service logs, the investigation revealed that 16 schools across the city had used the affected batch of Yikang cooking oil in May, totaling 41 barrels. The city has traced the distribution and urgently convened a meeting with principals of the involved schools, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding student food safety through three core principles: transparency, immediate investigation, and swift action.

After the central government’s announcement, Hsinchu City immediately initiated a traceability effort, reviewing meal records school by school. Mayor Kao Hung-an stated that student health and campus food safety are among the city’s top policy priorities. The city government adheres to the principles of "transparency, immediate investigation, and swift response" for any food safety concerns, conducting rigorous inspections of the school lunch supply chain and proactively tracking product distribution and follow-up actions.

The Education Department reported that the problematic product was the 18-liter Yikang cooking oil, with the affected batch number 20270416000403. The Hsinchu Elementary Central Kitchen, which serves Hsinchu Elementary, Zhulian Elementary, and Yangguang Elementary, had purchased 30 barrels in batches. The Neihu Junior High Central Kitchen, supplying Neihu Junior High, Neihu Elementary, Dahua Elementary, Nan'ai Elementary, Jiaodong Elementary, Chaoshan Elementary, Waldorf Experimental School, and Fuli Junior High, purchased 5 barrels. The Gaofeng Elementary Central Kitchen, serving Gaofeng Elementary, Longshan Elementary, Keyuan Elementary, and Qingcaohu Elementary, purchased 3 barrels. Old Community Elementary also purchased 3 barrels.

To prevent parental anxiety, the city government convened an emergency meeting with principals of the 16 affected schools on the 28th, outlining the latest developments and follow-up measures. The meeting established consistent protocols for parent communication, student health monitoring, information disclosure, and campus emergency response.

The Education Department emphasized that the city will continue to cooperate with central and health authorities on follow-up audits and will assist schools in fully preserving meal records, ingredient inspection documents, oil batch numbers, and procurement and usage logs. These records will serve as critical evidence for clarifying responsibility and protecting rights.

Regarding compensation, the Taiwan Consumer Protection Association has announced it will accept applications for class-action lawsuits on behalf of affected students and parents. Under the Consumer Protection Act, it will seek damages from Chung Lien Oils,泰山 (Taisun),福壽 (Fushou), and福懋油 (Fumao Oil), among other responsible parties. The Education Department stressed that the city will fully assist affected students and parents in obtaining necessary documentation to protect their legal rights and will continue to publicly update progress to ensure parental peace of mind and proper student care.