Industrial gas sold as medical oxygen and food-grade carbon dioxide: four detained, eight released on bail

A Taichung company allegedly continued selling industrial gases as regulated medical and food-grade products even after its medical oxygen manufacturing permit had been revoked. Prosecutors secured detention without visitation for four suspects, while eight others were released on bail.

The Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office carried out searches at eight locations in two operations on August 24 and 31. More than 60 officers took part, and investigators questioned 12 people, including the heads of Yuan Ji Gas and San Ying Technology. Health and food safety authorities also inspected company sites, medical institutions and businesses.

Prosecutors allege that Yuan Ji filled industrial oxygen into cylinders and sold it as medical oxygen to several healthcare institutions from March 2021 through September 2024. The investigation identified about 900 cylinders, each holding roughly 160 liters, and estimated criminal proceeds at around NT$1.8 million.

They also allege that Yuan Ji and San Ying handled food-grade carbon dioxide orders from October 2020 through the end of February 2024. Yuan Ji, which allegedly lacked the required registration for food additives, supplied industrial carbon dioxide under San Ying’s name to several businesses. Investigators identified 1,800 cylinders weighing 25 kilograms each and estimated proceeds at about NT$1.7 million.

The four detained suspects include the heads of the two companies, the daughter of one company head and the son of the other. Prosecutors accuse them of offenses including manufacturing and selling counterfeit medicines, violating food safety laws and aggravated fraud. The court approved detention because of alleged risks that they could collude with co-defendants or witnesses and destroy evidence. The allegations have not been adjudicated.