Taichung Mayor criticized over alleged lack of carcinogen testing in cooking oil

Taichung City faces scrutiny over its food safety inspections, with critics questioning the lack of proactive testing for carcinogens like benzopyrene in cooking oil during Mayor Lu Shiow-yen's nearly eight-year administration. The controversy gained traction amid the "Chung-Lien" edible oil scandal, which has raised public concern about the safety of food products.

Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare, Shieh Jhy-wey, pointed out that Taichung City had only participated in one special inspection for benzopyrene two years prior, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This limited proactive testing has fueled accusations that the city government has been remiss in its oversight responsibilities, particularly concerning potential health risks associated with contaminated food products.

Mayor Lu Shiow-yen's office released a video intended to commend the city's food safety division, but this move was met with public backlash, with many interpreting it as an attempt to deflect criticism rather than address the core issues. The public outcry suggests a demand for greater transparency and more rigorous enforcement of food safety regulations in Taichung, especially given the potential long-term health implications of exposure to carcinogens.