Taiwan Orders Precautionary Recall of Cooking Oils Due to Carcinogen Contamination

Taiwan's health authorities have mandated a precautionary recall of cooking oils produced by Chung-Lien Oil after discovering levels of Benzopyrene, a known carcinogen, exceeding safety limits. The affected products include soybean salad oil and items derived from it, manufactured between April and June.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that all potentially contaminated products must be removed from shelves by noon on the 10th. This measure aims to prevent public exposure to the harmful substance, with officials stressing the importance of prioritizing health and safety.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen publicly endorsed the strict recall, stating that the city government agrees with the precautionary removal. She emphasized the principle of being overly cautious for the sake of public health, asserting that it is better to err on the side of strictness than to be careless. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding food safety and regulatory oversight in Taiwan.

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For the sake of safety and the health of citizens and the nation, we agree with the precautionary recall. It is better to be strict than to be careless.