Taiwan opposition protests toxic oil; ruling party says food safety isn't political

The Kuomintang (KMT) party is organizing a protest in Taipei to address concerns over toxic cooking oil, but a prominent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) figure has pushed back against the political framing of the issue.

He Hsin-chun, a DPP candidate for Taipei mayor, stated that food safety should not be a partisan battleground. "Food safety is not politics, and food safety does not distinguish between colors," she said. "Using politics to take to the streets cannot fundamentally solve food safety problems, nor can it be used to consume the food safety rights of citizens."

He made these remarks while attending a water pipe connection ceremony. She urged the Taipei city government to provide a clear explanation regarding its inspection record of cooking oil from the Chung Lien company over the past eight years. The public, she emphasized, expects concrete solutions to the current oil safety issues and a thorough review of how to prevent future problems.

The KMT's demonstration, titled "I Am Human, I Oppose Toxic Oil," is scheduled to take place at Ketagalan Boulevard. The controversy highlights ongoing public concern over food safety standards and the political responses to such issues in Taiwan.

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Food safety is not politics, and food safety does not distinguish between colors. Using politics to take to the streets cannot fundamentally solve food safety problems, nor can it be used to consume the food safety rights of citizens.