Taiwan charges 15 people, four firms over tainted cooking oil

Taiwanese prosecutors have filed charges against 15 individuals and four companies in connection with a scandal involving cancer-causing cooking oil. The charges stem from the discovery of excessive levels of benzo(a)pyrene, a hydrocarbon, in oil produced by Central Union Oil. This contamination led to a massive recall of over 2.8 million kilograms of oil, which began in early July. Prosecutors in Taichung accuse Central Union Oil of deliberately delaying the reporting of the contamination and failing to initiate a prompt recall as mandated by food safety laws. Furthermore, three companies that co-founded Central Union are accused of knowingly using the tainted oil and reselling it to consumers after repackaging or re-blending. The prosecutors stated that these companies "harbored malicious intent and disregarded public food safety." The scandal has ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties and President Lai Ching-te's government trading blame. The controversy has dominated local media, and thousands attended an opposition rally demanding the resignations of the premier and the health minister, which they have refused. The companies and their executives and employees face potential prison sentences of up to 14 years and significant fines.

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harboured malicious intent and disregarded public food safety