Mayor Chiang Wan-an Criticized for Using Food Safety Scandal for Political Gain

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is facing criticism for allegedly using a carcinogenic oil scandal as a political tool rather than addressing the core issue of corporate concealment. Media personality Zhan Lingyu contends that the manufacturer's nearly two-month delay in reporting the problem is the most critical aspect demanding accountability.

Chiang has called for a public protest on July 25, directing his criticism towards the Executive Yuan. Zhan Lingyu questions this approach, stating, "You don't pursue the real culprit but use food safety as fuel for the fire," and labels the protest as a "political rally" rather than a defense of food safety.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai emphasized that the problem originates with unscrupulous manufacturers who failed to report the issue. He suggested focusing on amending laws to strengthen manufacturers' self-reporting obligations and increase penalties for concealment that harms public health. Zhan Lingyu echoed this sentiment, pointing out that the manufacturer knew about the oil's problems in early May but did not disclose it until June 30, allowing the contaminated oil to circulate and be consumed by the public for nearly two months.

Zhan Lingyu further suggested that Chiang's recent administrative stumbles have created a need for a new issue to shift public focus. The oil scandal, she posits, has provided Chiang with an opportunity to "pick up a gun." The meeting with the Executive Yuan is seen as a perfunctory act, with the late-night social media post being the main event, aimed at shaping the news cycle. Zhan concludes that genuine concern for food safety involves systemic improvements, such as faster reporting and integrated databases, which are difficult but life-saving, contrasting this with Chiang's tendency to choose the easier path of political spectacle.