Who Is Covering Up the Toxic Oil Scandal? Taiwan Sugar Failed to Report Benzopyrene超标 in May, Doctor Raises 3 Suspicions: Did the Director and Minister Really Not Know?

A major breakthrough has emerged in the Zhonglian toxic oil case. According to an investigation by the Taichung District Court, Taiwan Sugar had already detected不合格 in raw oil from Zhonglian Oils' Tank 311 as early as mid-May. After learning of this, physician Su Wei-Shuo posted on Facebook questioning why the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were only informed in late June if Taiwan Sugar had already known about the situation. He demanded that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and MOHW provide explanations. Today (2nd), Su Wei-Shuo raised three further questions that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taiwan Sugar Corporation must answer.

The Zhonglian toxic oil case has seen significant developments. The investigation revealed that Taiwan Sugar detected超标 levels of benzopyrene in raw oil from Zhonglian Oils' degumming process in mid-May. The Kaohsiung City Government Health Bureau explained that Taiwan Sugar had purchased semi-finished raw oil from Formosa Plastics, which was processed by Zhonglian Oils. However, upon testing, the batch was found to exceed benzopyrene limits, leading Taiwan Sugar to reject the shipment. As a result, the oil never entered Taiwan Sugar's factory premises or production process.

In response, Su Wei-Shuo emphasized that Taiwan Sugar should answer several critical questions regarding its failure to proactively notify health authorities:

First, when benzopyrene超标 was detected in Zhonglian's degummed oil in May, was this information reported internally within Taiwan Sugar? If so, up to which management level was it reported? Did the General Manager and Chairman know?

Second, did Taiwan Sugar report this incident to the State-Owned Enterprises Committee under the Ministry of Economic Affairs? If the committee received the report, did it escalate it to the Ministry's headquarters? Upon receiving it, did the Ministry headquarters report it to the Deputy Minister and Minister?

Third, upon learning of the issue, did the Ministry of Economic Affairs report it to the Executive Yuan? Did the Executive Yuan report it to the Vice Premier and Premier?

Fourth, if none of the above steps were taken, then that speaks volumes.

Additional exclusive reports from Storm Media:

- Taiwan Sugar knew about Zhonglian's toxic oil issue as early as May. 'The Strongest Vegetable Farmer' criticized mayors of southern cities, saying they 'fell from their thrones,' calling inspections a farce.

- Despite knowing about the toxic oil in May, did Taiwan Sugar fail to report? A writer compared the case to Nampak's experience—where whistleblowers were punished—and questioned how Kaohsiung City should respond.

- Taiwan Sugar reportedly reported benzopyrene超标 in May. Su Wei-Shuo demands government clarity: Why did the MOHW only learn in late June?