Blue-White furiously condemn toxic oil harming Taiwan; netizens retort: Data found here would be compliant in China!

Taiwanese netizens are countering criticism of the island's food safety regulations, particularly concerning carcinogenic substances like Benzopyrene (BaP). The debate intensified following the discovery of excessive BaP levels in cooking oil produced by a Taiwanese company, Zhonglian Oil.

Critics, primarily from the "blue-white" political camps (referring to the opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party), have attacked the central government, accusing it of incompetence and cover-ups. Some have even suggested that China's food safety standards are superior. In response, netizens have shared information highlighting the disparity in regulations. They point out that Taiwan adheres to strict EU standards, requiring BaP levels below 2.0 μg/kg. In contrast, China's standard for edible oil is ≤10 μg/kg.

The Zhonglian Oil batch in question tested at 8.1 μg/kg. This means the oil, deemed non-compliant in Taiwan, would be considered legal and safe for consumption in mainland China. Netizens have sarcastically remarked that those who frequently travel to China and consume its food likely ingest levels far exceeding Taiwan's limits, implying that concerns about the Taiwanese oil are misplaced if one accepts Chinese standards.

Lawyer Lin Chih-chieh also shared information from the food industry media "foodNEXT," emphasizing that Taiwan's BaP testing standards are among the strictest globally. Many other countries, including the United States and Japan, do not have specific regulations for BaP in edible oils, while China's standard is significantly more lenient. This comparison has fueled online discussions, with many expressing frustration over the perceived hypocrisy of those criticizing Taiwan's food safety while seemingly accepting lower standards elsewhere.