W永利 Oil Factory’s Premium Sesame Oil Exceeds Benzo[a]pyrene Limit, 283 Jars Sold

A batch of sesame oil sold in New Taipei contained benzo[a]pyrene above the legal limit, prompting a recall warning after 283 jars reached consumers.

Yongli Oil Factory voluntarily reported the issue to the New Taipei City Health Department on Aug. 29. Testing found 2.9 micrograms of benzo[a]pyrene per kilogram in its premium sesame oil, compared with the permitted limit of 2.0 micrograms.

The affected oil production totaled 859.2 liters. Health officials said the batch itself was intercepted before sale and sealed. But the same raw materials had already been blended into two products: 630 three-liter containers of Golden Gourd Premium Sesame Oil and Good Time Small-Mill Sesame Oil. The companies sold 283 containers to individual customers, while sealing the remaining 347.

The health department and Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration inspected the factory on Aug. 29 and Aug. 31. Officials also notified the health authority responsible for the original oil supplier so it could investigate the abnormal test result.

Consumers who bought products from the affected batches should stop using them and contact Yongli or Chenbang at 02-85213811 for return or exchange information. The health department reminded food businesses to report suspected safety problems, stop production and sales, and arrange recalls. Under Taiwan’s food safety law, companies that fail to report and take required action can face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$3 million.