Taiwan Sugar Knew About Zhonglian's Carcinogenic Oil in May but Failed to Report? Writer Compares to Nanchiao's Whistleblower Penalty: How Should Kaohsiung Respond?

New evidence has surfaced in the Zhonglian Oils carcinogenic oil case. The Taichung District Court recently revealed that as early as May this year, Taiwan Sugar notified Zhonglian that its oil products had exceeded benzopyrene safety limits. Subsequently, Nanchiao also detected abnormalities. However, Zhonglian's food safety team head, plant manager Chen Ming-rong, and other senior executives took a passive approach, attempting to 'cover up' the issue. It was only after news leaked in June and internal whistleblowers began to act that Zhonglian's executives finally reported to regulatory authorities.

In response, writer Piaolang Daoyu posted on Facebook, stating that the toxic oil scandal is becoming increasingly shocking. Nanchiao discovered the issue in June and reported it in July, meaning the public consumed contaminated oil for an extra month. But Taiwan Sugar discovered it in May—meaning the public consumed toxic oil for two extra months. Truly, the people are innocent victims.

According to the Taichung District Court's ruling, Chen Ming-rong, as plant manager of Zhonglian's refinery, reported directly to the general manager and served as both the company's management representative and head of the food safety team. As early as May, Taiwan Sugar had informed Zhonglian that its oil products exceeded benzopyrene testing limits. Chen's subordinate managers had clearly communicated the seriousness of the situation, yet Chen took no action. Later, Nanchiao also detected benzopyrene levels above the limit in its oil products and informed Zhonglian through Fushou Company. After discussions among Chen and other senior executives, they still chose a passive response, failing to proactively halt production or initiate recalls.

In June, after Chen noticed the news was leaking and internal whistleblowers were beginning to act, Zhonglian's senior management finally reported to the competent authority.

Piaolang Daoyu stated that the toxic oil scandal is becoming more and more astonishing. Taiwan Sugar, recently praised as a 'model student' in the toxic oil case for meeting inspection standards and conducting preventive product withdrawals, has now been exposed for knowing as early as May that upstream supplier Zhonglian Oils had benzopyrene levels exceeding safety limits—yet failed to notify government agencies.

Reviewing the timeline: Nanchiao Oil Factory conducted an internal test on June 10 and discovered benzopyrene levels exceeding limits in oil from upstream supplier Zhonglian. However, they initially only notified the upstream supplier. On July 10, after detecting another batch of oil with excessive benzopyrene, they formally notified the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This triggered a wave of recalls and public announcements, leading to the full-scale outbreak of the toxic oil scandal.

Piaolang Daoyu noted that at the time, Nanchiao was hailed as the 'whistleblower' in the toxic oil case. However, Taipei City Government, citing Article 7, Paragraph 5 of the Food Safety and Health Management Act, which requires immediate reporting to local authorities when food poses a health risk, determined that Nanchiao had 'delayed reporting' and 'failed to report despite knowledge' by only notifying the upstream supplier in June and not reporting to the government until July. As a result, they were fined NT$3 million.

Piaolang Daoyu pointed out that Taiwan Sugar actually discovered the issue a full month earlier than Nanchiao, also notifying only the upstream supplier but never reporting to the government—only revealed through court investigations. If Nanchiao was penalized for failing to report promptly, how should Taiwan Sugar, which never reported at all, be punished?

Nanchiao discovered the issue in June and reported in July—meaning the public consumed toxic oil for one extra month. Now, Taiwan Sugar discovered it in May—meaning the public consumed toxic oil for two extra months. Truly, the people are innocent victims.

More exclusive reports from Feng Media: - Taiwan Sugar reported benzopyrene超标 in May—Su Wei-shuo demands government clarity: Why did MOHW only learn in late June? - Datong益 profited handsomely while Zhonglian faced a toxic oil scandal? Hsieh Chin-ho reveals the 'mismanagement' tragedy: Equipment shift from Europe to another country caused the disaster - DPP in trouble for 2026? 'Stock market crash + toxic oil' one-two punch—Card God warns Lai Qing-te: Prediction coming true early