Lawmaker Slams Taiwan Health Agencies for Slow Response to Oil Contamination Scandal

A legislator has sharply criticized Taiwan's regulatory bodies for their delayed response to a food safety scandal involving contaminated cooking oil. Legislator Chen Ching-hsin of the Kuomintang party accused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) of consistently lagging behind the truth.

Chen highlighted that a factory director knew about the contamination as early as May, yet this information was not disclosed until much later. She questioned why Taiwan Sugar, a state-owned enterprise, only notified its suppliers and not the central or local authorities. The FDA's subsequent "independent investigation team" also failed to mention this crucial early notification, further fueling suspicions of a cover-up.

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Every time something happens, they say they will 'review and adjust.' They keep rolling along until today, but no one has taken responsibility, and the truth still needs to be dug out by outsiders.

The legislator also pointed to the lack of accountability from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taiwan Sugar's chairman, demanding they explain their role. Chen expressed deep skepticism about the government's commitment to food safety, stating that every disclosure seems to be a reluctant admission after the situation became unmanageable. The scandal has led to public outcry and demands for resignations from top officials, including the Premier and the Health Minister.

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Who is acting as a gatekeeper for Zhonglian Oil? Taiwan Sugar notified Zhonglian in May but did not inform the public or the MOHW. Should the MOHW, by analogy with Nanqiao, demand that the Kaohsiung City Government fine Taiwan Sugar?