When Did the Government Learn That Taisugar Detected Zhonglian's Contaminated Oil? Huang Kuo-chang Slams 'Three Different Versions from One Cabinet': Minister and Vice Minister Give Contradictory Answers

Zhonglian Oils has sparked a food safety crisis after Taisugar detected benzopyrene levels exceeding safety standards in a batch of raw oil in May and refused delivery. After being returned, Zhonglian's crude oil continued to be concealed, worsening the situation. However, Taisugar has come under heavy criticism from opposition parties for failing to proactively report the incident. Huang Kuo-chang, chair of the Taiwan People's Party, criticized on the 10th that the cabinet provided three different versions on when it learned that Taisugar had detected carcinogenic oil, with conflicting statements from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). During a special report at the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee last Wednesday, TPP legislator Chiou Hui-ju asked MOHW and MOEA when they became aware of Taisugar's detection of toxic oil. MOHW's Food and Drug Administration Director-General Chiang Chih-kang stated he only learned of it on July 15 when staff reviewed the report. In contrast, MOEA Vice Minister Lai Chien-hsin claimed the ministry was informed on July 9 and said, 'Taisugar did report this matter.' Huang Kuo-chang pointed out that during today's Economic Committee special report, legislator Hung Yu-hsiang asked MOEA Minister Kung Ming-hsin when the ministry became aware. Kung responded that he only learned on July 28. 'How can one cabinet have three different versions of when it learned? Even more absurd is that the minister and vice minister gave different answers. This isn't just loose screws—it's full of lies and cover-ups, with every effort made to evade responsibility,' Huang said. Huang added that during the same session, Chiou Hui-ju further questioned whether MOHW and MOEA had reported the detection to Premier Cho Jung-tai. Vice Minister Lai replied, 'We did not.' If that response from MOEA was shocking, MOHW Minister Shih Chung-liang's answer was even more baffling. Shih first claimed, 'Of course the premier knew,' but when asked when the report was made to Premier Cho, he said, 'I need to confirm the date.' When asked when he could confirm it, Shih astonishingly replied, 'I’ll see if I can remember.' 'Cho Jung-tai, is this the attitude of the cabinet you lead toward a food safety crisis?' Huang questioned. Additional exclusive reports from Storm Media: · Did Taisugar have an obligation to report after rejecting Zhonglian's crude oil? Shih emphasized, 'There is no reporting obligation for raw materials,' noting that inspection standards were set autonomously by Taisugar. · After being accused of dereliction of duty by KMT councilors, Taisugar Chairman Wu Ming-chang responded: 'There is no legal issue, as raw materials do not require reporting.' · Does Taisugar have a reporting obligation? A public health professor from National Taiwan University analyzed the regulations, stating, 'It's not that simple.' The MOHW's interpretation is not the only possible one.