More suspects detained in tainted oil scandal

Prosecutors in Taichung have detained several people for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into the Central Union Oil Corp. cooking oil scandal. The probe focuses on cooking oil found to contain excessive levels of benzopyrene, a harmful chemical compound.

“

As part of its investigation into cooking oil from Central Union Oil containing excessive benzopyrene levels, prosecutors had conducted searches on July 9 and on Wednesday.

In the latest wave of actions on Friday, prosecutors searched the residences of five individuals, including a former general manager of Taisun Enterprise Co. surnamed Shen, and a vice general manager at Taisun named Tsai. Searches also targeted employees from Formosa Oilseed Processing Co. and Fwusow Industry Co., along with a Central Union Oil plant manager.

During earlier stages of the investigation, prosecutors had questioned several company chairmen, including those from Central Union Oil, Taisun, Fwusow, and Formosa Oilseed. Based on seized materials and testimonies, Shen and Tsai are suspected of violating the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation and other laws. Prosecutors believe they pose a risk of destroying evidence or colluding with others and have requested their detention.

“

Shen and Tsai might have contravened the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation （食品安全衛生管理法） and other laws.

While the president of Central Union Oil, Yu Ling-chung, was initially released on bail, a subsequent appeal by prosecutors led to him being held incommunicado. Other defendants have been released on bail ranging from NT$500,000 to NT$20 million pending further investigation.

“

There was cause to believe that Shen and Tsai posed a risk of destroying or forging evidence, or colluding with accomplices and witnesses, prosecutors said, and requested that they be detained incommunicado.