Taichung Deputy Mayor Claims 18 Benzene Pyrene Tests, Faces Councilors' Scrutiny

Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin has pushed back against claims that the city conducted minimal benzene pyrene tests. Responding to Health Minister Shih Chung-liang's statement that Taichung had only one test in eight years, Cheng asserted that the city's records show 18 tests.

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Please do not use partial, all-encompassing numbers to create a false impression. Taichung's record shows 18 tests for benzene pyrene.

Shih had noted Taichung's testing frequency was significantly lower than that of Kaohsiung and Tainan during a press conference following an executive meeting. This statement came amid public concern over food safety issues, particularly concerning carcinogenic oils.

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The city government should respond to social concerns with concrete facts. Citizens are most concerned about inspection content, product flow, subsequent actions, and information disclosure.

Taichung City Councilor Chen Ya-hui called for the city government to address public concerns with concrete facts, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding inspection details, product traceability, subsequent actions, and public disclosure. Fellow councilors Chen Yu-jung and Ho Wen-hai criticized the city government, suggesting it was engaging in political maneuvering and blaming the central government rather than directly addressing the food safety concerns. They urged Mayor Lu Shiow-yen to focus on governance and cease political posturing.

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It is regrettable that the Lu administration continues to focus on shifting blame to the central government.