Nearly 90% of Carcinogenic Oil Missing in Hsinchu City, Councilor Demands Answers

Hsinchu City faces a significant food safety crisis as nearly 90% of 20,000 kilograms of oil contaminated with a carcinogenic substance, benzo(a)pyrene, remains unaccounted for. City Councilor Yang Ling-yi expressed alarm, stating that only 2,237.6 kilograms have been recovered, leaving approximately 18,000 kilograms potentially circulating in the market.

Yang urged the Health Bureau to urgently determine the oil's whereabouts and ensure a complete recall and sealing of the affected products. She also advised citizens to be vigilant and inquire with vendors about the origin of cooking oils.

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The Health Bureau should promptly clarify the whereabouts of this batch of problematic oil, and whether the businesses have been ordered to recall and seal it within a deadline.

The Health Bureau confirmed that problem oil batches were requested to be removed from shelves by downstream businesses. Eight companies were identified as having received the affected oil, and all have ceased its use. Out of 80 businesses inspected by July 7, 42 were found to have used the problematic oil.

Yang criticized the Health Bureau for potentially concealing the extent of the disaster and demanded the release of inspection lists and results for food processing plants, market vendors, and restaurants. She also called for mandatory oil testing for kitchens in government agencies, schools, and catering services.

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Citizens should pay more attention or proactively inquire with businesses.