Premier Orders Action on Benzopyrene Contamination in Black Sesame Oil

Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai has directed government agencies to take decisive action following the detection of excessive levels of benzopyrene in black sesame oil, emphasizing the need to prevent further such incidents and safeguard public trust. The directive came during a cabinet meeting on August 27th, where health and food safety issues were discussed.

The concern was triggered when a company voluntarily reported that its "Top Cold-Pressed Black Sesame Oil" contained benzopyrene levels exceeding regulatory limits. In response, the Taipei City Department of Health initiated a precautionary recall of the affected product. This incident adds to ongoing concerns regarding oil product safety in Taiwan.

Premier Cho stressed that the government cannot solely rely on post-market management to ensure food safety. He called for rigorous adherence to strict manufacturing processes by all compliant oil factories. The Food and Drug Administration has been tasked with developing a system that requires manufacturers to maintain complete traceability records of their production processes. Failure to comply with these stringent manufacturing standards will result in accountability.

Furthermore, Cho highlighted the significant health implications of benzopyrene, particularly for pregnant women, and pledged government support for local authorities and academic institutions in enhancing testing capabilities. He urged for a comprehensive mechanism and strategy to be developed by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent recurrence of such oil contamination issues. The Premier warned that repeated failures in ensuring oil safety could severely damage the government's credibility.

The government aims to ensure that only tested and certified oils are allowed onto the market. This proactive approach involves strengthening collaboration between government bodies, local authorities, academic researchers, and the private sector to bolster inspection capacity and ensure the integrity of the food supply chain.

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Do not let oil problems happen again, otherwise it will have a great impact on the government's credibility.