KMT chair's 'no health harm' claim on tainted oil sparks outrage

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Charlena Cheng's recent assertion that the tainted oil involved in the Wei-Chuan food safety scandal did not pose a health risk has ignited a fierce debate. Cheng made the controversial statement during an online program while promoting an upcoming protest.

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The oil that was put on the market did not harm health.

Cheng stated that while the source of the oil was unappetizing, the "oil that was put on the market did not harm health." This claim drew sharp criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councilor Yan Jo-fang. Yan lambasted Cheng's remarks as an attempt to "whitewash" the scandal and accused the KMT of disregarding the health of the Taiwanese people.

"Is the standard for food safety changing with political affiliation?" Yan questioned on social media. She argued that Cheng's statement, which downplayed the health risks of the "black heart oil" that caused widespread panic, was not only misleading but also an insult to the public's memory and well-being. Yan specifically pointed out that the oil was later found to contain a "Group 1 carcinogen."

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Is the standard for food safety changing with political affiliation?

Yan further criticized the KMT for using food safety as a political tool, questioning the purpose of their planned street protest if they now claim the scandal-ridden oil was not harmful. The controversy highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding food safety issues in Taiwan.

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For the sake of political attacks, to brazenly claim that the 'Wei-Chuan black heart oil' that caused nationwide panic back then did not harm health, but was merely disgusting in its production process, is not only a public misrepresentation but also tramples on the memory and health of the Taiwanese people!