Taichung claims central government designated oil factories for inspection; FDA says local authorities also have initiative

Taichung city officials have asserted that the oil factories targeted in a joint investigation were specifically designated by the central government, a claim met with a response from Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizing local authorities' independent inspection powers.

The dispute emerged amid widespread public concern over food safety, particularly following the Zhonglian Oils case. Questions have been raised about why past inspections, including those within central government projects, failed to detect irregularities at the company.

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Apart from the central government's inspection projects, the "Food Safety and Sanitation Act" also stipulates that local authorities have the obligation to proactively conduct food inspections and sampling.

Wang De-yuan, deputy director-general of the FDA, clarified that under Article 41 of the "Food Safety and Sanitation Act," local health bureaus are obligated to conduct on-site inspections and sampling to ensure food products comply with regulations. He stressed that these inspections are a routine part of their duties, independent of central government initiatives.

Wang further explained that while the FDA sometimes designates specific companies for central-level inspection projects, this does not preclude local authorities from conducting their own proactive checks. He noted that the FDA's central projects are developed based on various factors, including past inspection results and performance, and can involve either designated or locally selected businesses. The FDA confirmed that as of the latest update, 2,771.2 metric tons of non-compliant oil products had been removed from shelves, with an additional 5,314.9 metric tons voluntarily recalled.

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Food inspections and sampling have always been carried out by central and local health authorities, dividing tasks among various food industry operators.