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Carcinogenic oil scare: Changhua meatball makers avoid storm with 'this trick'

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A carcinogenic oil scare has inadvertently benefited Changhua's traditional meatball vendors who use lard.
  • Many vendors continue to use lard, a stable frying medium, while some consumers are opting to render their own lard for peace of mind.
  • While sales were initially affected, they have since recovered, though potential price increases for lard are being monitored.

A scare over carcinogenic oil has unexpectedly provided a reprieve for Changhua's renowned meatball vendors, many of whom rely on traditional lard for frying. The widespread concern over soybean salad oil found to contain excessive levels of benzopyrene has led consumers to seek safer alternatives.

The lard used in our shop is supplied by legal oil factories. Compared to some vegetable oils, its properties are more stable, and we stock it monthly based on usage, with a shelf life of about two months, ensuring the oil is fresh and of good quality.

— Fan ZhensenA meatball vendor explaining the stability and quality of lard used in his shop.

Changhua meatball, known for its crispy exterior and rich aroma, is predominantly fried in lard by most establishments. Fan Zhensen, a fourth-generation owner of a well-known Beidou meatball shop, stated that his shop sources lard from legal suppliers. He noted that lard is more stable than some vegetable oils and is regularly restocked to ensure freshness and quality.

When the food safety incident first broke out, some people were worried about the oil safety, and business was slightly affected, but after learning that our shop uses lard, customers have been gradually returning.

— Fan ZhensenThe vendor described the initial impact on business and subsequent recovery.

Fan mentioned that business experienced a slight dip when the food safety incident first broke out, but customers have been returning after learning that his shop uses lard. However, he also revealed that due to market fluctuations, his supplier has indicated a potential price increase for the next batch of lard, leaving future costs uncertain. Meanwhile, vendors at the Shetou Township market reported a significant increase in the purchase of pork fat, with many customers expressing a desire to render their own lard for safety.

Recently, the number of people buying pork fat has increased significantly, with many saying they want to fry their own lard for peace of mind.

— Pork vendorA market vendor noted a rise in demand for pork fat from consumers seeking to make their own lard.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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