Taiwan Expands Food Recall Over Carcinogen in Soybean Oil

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expanding a precautionary recall of processed foods due to contamination concerns with a specific soybean salad oil. The affected oil, produced by Chung Lien Oil, was found to contain excessive levels of benzopyrene, a Group 1 carcinogen.

Following an expert meeting, the FDA decided to extend the recall beyond the original oil products. Now, any second-tier processed foods that use more than 20% of the implicated soybean salad oil must also be preemptively removed from shelves. The FDA has formally notified 257 affected businesses, requiring them to complete the recall and publicly disclose product information by July 6th. Local health bureaus will oversee the implementation to ensure consumer safety.

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Experts believe the contamination may be linked to heat damage during the drying and fumigation process of some Brazilian soybeans after harvest.

FDA Director-General Chiang Chih-kung explained that experts believe the contamination may be linked to heat damage during the drying and fumigation process of some Brazilian soybeans after harvest. Domestic and international literature suggests that while refining can reduce benzopyrene levels, high initial concentrations in raw soybeans can still result in exceeding legal limits even after processing. The FDA noted that while U.S. soybeans consistently tested clean, a batch of Brazilian soybeans imported in April showed elevated benzopyrene levels, though still within the 2 parts per billion (ppb) limit at the time of initial testing.

Experts advised strengthening controls at the raw material stage. Recommendations include lowering the acceptable moisture content standard for imported soybeans from approximately 13% to 12.5% to reduce the risk of heat damage during drying and fumigation. The FDA plans to convene a meeting with major edible oil manufacturers next week to discuss establishing new oil management mechanisms. These may include increased in-process sampling, batch-by-batch testing, and enhanced raw material inspection and self-monitoring protocols to prevent similar incidents.

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We have formally notified 257 affected businesses, requiring them to complete the recall and publicly disclose product information by July 6th.