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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Taiwanese councilors demand apology, resignation over 'carcinogenic oil' scandal

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Taiwanese city councilors criticized the central government's handling of a carcinogenic oil contamination incident involving Chung Lien Oil.
  • They accused the government of inconsistent policies and slow response, demanding an apology from Premier Lai Ching-te and the resignation of Premier Cho Jung-tai.
  • Concerns were raised about the whereabouts of 99% of the contaminated oil and the potential health risks, including increased cancer risk.

A coalition of city councilors in Taichung, Taiwan, has strongly criticized the central government's response to the contamination of salad oil produced by Chung Lien Oil with a first-class carcinogen, Benzo(a)pyrene. The "New Parliamentary Alliance," comprising KMT and independent councilors, convened a press conference to denounce what they termed the central government's "wavering" and "slow" policy implementation, which they claim left local governments confused.

The central government's reaction to this Chung Lien Oil incident was slow, and the FDA's standards for recalling downstream products were inconsistent.

— Yang Ta-hungCriticizing the central government's handling of the contaminated oil scandal.

Councilors specifically targeted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its inconsistent standards regarding the recall of downstream products and the unclear percentage of contamination that triggers a recall. They drew parallels to the past Wei-Chuan Foods scandal, demanding that the current administration apply the same strict standards. The group called for Premier Lai Ching-te to apologize and Premier Cho Jung-tai to step down, accusing the administration of protecting corporate interests.

According to official data, only 17.422 metric tons were recovered, with a staggering 99% of the oil unaccounted for. We demand the central government disclose its whereabouts.

— Huang Chia-tienHighlighting the lack of transparency regarding the contaminated oil.

Further concerns were voiced regarding the fate of 99% of the contaminated oil, which remains unaccounted for according to official data. Councilor Huang Chia-tien urged the central government to disclose the oil's whereabouts and for the Taichung city government to proactively recall all related products. Experts warned that long-term consumption of Benzo(a)pyrene significantly increases the risk of lung cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. Councilors stressed the government's responsibility to protect public health with the highest standards, not the lowest, and demanded transparency and effective crisis management.

Premier Cho Jung-tai's statement that the Chung Lien Oil plant cannot cease operations is tantamount to protecting a corporation.

— Lin Hao-yuAccusing the Premier of favoring corporate interests over public health.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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