Regarding the Zhonglian Oils case, local leaders and opposition parties have questioned whether the initial decision to set a 20% recall threshold involved political protection, or a 'gatekeeper.' On July 4, an expert meeting was held with only the head of the Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), Chiang Chih-kang, and the Director of the Executive Yuan's Food Safety Office, Hsu Fu, present. This has sparked criticism that the TFDA bypassed the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and reported directly to the Executive Yuan. Minister of Health and Welfare, Shih Chong-liang, responded during a press briefing before the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Committee on the 5th, stating that the recall threshold was the outcome of expert discussions and that there was no bypassing of the minister.

Shih stated, 'This decision came from expert discussions and consensus. There was no bypassing of the minister. In the past, all food safety advisory meetings have been convened by the TFDA. The 20% recall threshold was the result of expert deliberations. On past food safety issues, we have always highly respected expert conclusions.'

As for public criticism questioning why Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) did not report超标 crude oil, suggesting ambiguity in the Food Safety Act, Shih explained:

'On food safety, I understand that the public expects the highest possible standards. Everyone hopes that any issue found will be reported immediately, and this expectation is understandable. However, administrative agencies must act according to the law. Under the current Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act, reporting obligations apply only when safety standards for edible oils are exceeded. These standards apply to finished edible oils, not to raw materials or intermediate semi-finished products such as crude degummed oil. Since no standards have been set for crude oil, there is no legal obligation to report.'

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  • Source: PR Times
  • Category: News