Chung Lien Soybean Salad Oil Exceeds Benzo[a]pyrene Standards; FDA Asks Company to Clarify Production Process

(CNA Taipei, July 2, 2024) Chung Lien Oil Corporation voluntarily reported that benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in its soybean salad oil exceeded the standard. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated today that Chung Lien refines soybean salad oil from soybeans, and the exceedance of benzo[a]pyrene is related to the production process. The company is currently clarifying this with its factory. If improvements are needed later, the FDA will confirm with the Taichung City Food and Safety Department.

The FDA announced on July 1st that it had received a report from Chung Lien Oil, which provided a batch of soybean salad oil used by Tai Shan, Fu Shou, and Fu Mao, detecting that the carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene content exceeded the standard, and initiated a recall.

Tsai Shu-chen, deputy director-general of the FDA, stated at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting that according to Article 7 of the Food Safety Act, food businesses must conduct self-inspection and third-party verification. Food safety for edible oils has always been a focus of government attention. In the past three years, 240 inspections and 372 product samplings of edible oils have all been compliant.

Regarding the exceedance of benzo[a]pyrene in Chung Lien soybean salad oil, Tsai Shu-chen said that Chung Lien directly refines soybean salad oil from soybeans. Tai Shan, Fu Shou, and Fu Mao are responsible for small packaging and 18-liter commercial packaging. Currently, all related products have been comprehensively recalled. The Taichung City Food and Safety Department, along with FDA Central Region personnel, jointly inspected Chung Lien yesterday and ordered them to cease manufacturing and shipping.

Tsai Shu-chen stated that the reason for the benzo[a]pyrene exceedance is currently being clarified by the factory regarding the production process. If improvements are needed later, the FDA will jointly confirm with the Taichung City Food and Safety Department. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150702

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