Cancer-Causing Substance Found in Soybean Oil; Hsinchu County Inspects 29 Businesses, Orders Full Removal | Liberty Times (TW) | 2026-07-03T00:00:00.000Z

Hsinchu County health officials have confirmed that Zhonglian brand soybean salad oil contains excessive levels of the carcinogen benzopyrene (BaP), prompting an immediate recall and removal of the product.

The affected batch, lot number 315-1150404, was distributed to three major companies: Tai Shan Enterprise, Fwusow Industry, and Formosa Oils & Fats. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that upon receiving the notification, these companies, along with the Hsinchu County Bureau of Health, initiated a recall mechanism.

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Benzopyrene belongs to the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It can be produced during food processing or through environmental pollution and can harm human health.

Health officials conducted inspections at 29 businesses within the county, including four manufacturers, 20 restaurants, and five retailers. They confirmed that the problematic oil has been removed from shelves and inventory. Benzopyrene is a type of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that can form during food processing or through environmental contamination and poses a health risk.

The county health bureau is reinforcing its checks on oil products in restaurants and retail stores to ensure consumer safety. They also encourage the public to adopt healthier cooking habits, such as reducing high-temperature grilling, smoking, and excessive frying, to minimize exposure to PAHs. Food businesses are urged to implement self-management practices to ensure product safety. Failure to report hazardous products can result in fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$3 million.

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Upon receiving the notification, the FDA dispatched personnel along with the Taichung City Food Safety Office to investigate. The affected oil batch is lot number 315-1150404, with a total of approximately 1,300 metric tons distributed to Tai Shan Enterprise, Fwusow Industry, and Formosa Oils & Fats.