Taiwan Vice Mayor Accuses Central Government of Downplaying Carcinogenic Oil Scandal

Taichung City's Vice Mayor Zheng Zhaoxin has sharply criticized the central government's handling of a carcinogenic oil scandal, accusing it of downplaying the issue and delaying a comprehensive recall. Zheng presented a detailed timeline to refute claims from the Executive Yuan that the city government was prematurely pushing for a factory inspection to facilitate its resumption of operations.

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The Executive Yuan should clarify why it delayed a full recall for a week and how it responded with sarcasm to the local authorities' insistence on a comprehensive recall.

The dispute highlights a significant clash between local and central authorities over food safety protocols. Zheng questioned the Executive Yuan's spokesperson, Li Hui-chih, and the Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration, Jiang Tze-kang, suggesting their focus was misplaced. He specifically cited Jiang's remark that "there was no need to go and see" regarding a second inspection, implying a lack of urgency from the central government.

Zheng argued that the central government's response was slow, taking a week to initiate a full recall of affected oil products. He contrasted this with Taichung City's proactive stance, which on July 2nd announced the recall of second-tier products from 224 businesses and pledged to "recall wherever we find it." This local initiative aimed to ensure that "even a single drop of problematic oil" would be removed from circulation.

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Is it that if we don't resume work, we don't need to go to the site? Can we just stay in the office and enjoy the air conditioning?

The controversy escalated when Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen accused the central government of pressuring local authorities to avoid factory inspections, refrain from disclosing product sources, and delay recalling the contaminated oil. The Executive Yuan has repeatedly denied these accusations, with Li Hui-chih stating that a July 4th expert meeting concluded that the factory had no possibility of resuming operations, questioning why Taichung City would seek another inspection the following day.

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There was no need to go and see.

Zheng further criticized the central government's handling of product traceability, alleging they initially refused to disclose the sources of second-tier products. He pointed out that the central government only expanded the recall scope and disclosed more information on July 4th, adhering to a 2017 principle that mandated recalls for processed goods containing over 20% of the problematic ingredient. Zheng emphasized that Taichung City's policy, requiring the recall of any product containing even a small amount, demonstrated a stronger commitment to public health.

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They are also affected businesses.