Taiwan destroys over 364 tons of carcinogenic oil

Taiwan authorities have begun the process of destroying more than 364 metric tons of contaminated oil from Chung Lien Oil, a substance found to contain excessive levels of benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogen. The destruction process, overseen by a joint task force from the Taichung City Government and the national Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aims to ensure the oil does not re-enter the food supply.

The problematic oil, primarily soybean salad oil, was reported by Chung Lien Oil to the FDA on June 30, marking 34 days since the "carcinogenic oil" incident came to light. The Taichung City Government announced the commencement of destruction operations, with a significant portion, 118.213 metric tons, to be handled by Fwusow Industry between August 3 and 4.

This contaminated oil will be transported and processed by Yong Rui Industry. The resulting products will be used as raw materials for sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel, or other biofuels. This repurposing ensures the oil is handled responsibly and does not pose a risk to public health.

The joint supervision team, comprising officials from the Taichung City Government's Food and Drug Safety Office, the Economic Development Bureau, and the Environmental Protection Bureau, along with the FDA, will monitor the entire process, from inventory and loading to transportation and final processing. This meticulous oversight guarantees the problematic oil's complete removal from the food production system.

The incident echoes a similar scandal in 2013 involving T.C. Food Industrial Co., which was found to have illegally added copper chlorophyllin and adulterated its products. That case resulted in the recall and destruction of over 2,600 tons of oil, a process that took more than six months to complete.