Taipei City Sets Deadline for Yikang Oil Inspection Reports, Distribution, and Recall Progress

(CNA, Taipei, July 2) In response to the excessive carcinogen levels found in Chung Lien's "Soybean Salad Oil," the Taipei City Department of Health announced today that Yikang, a brand under Fu Mao, has 588 metric tons of implicated oil. Over 90% of this is for commercial use, and the company has been given a deadline to submit oil inspection reports, a list of distributors, and the progress of its recall efforts.

In response to the detection of excessive levels of the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene in Chung Lien's "Soybean Salad Oil," implicated oil products have been distributed to companies including Fu Shou Industrial Co., Ltd., Fu Mao Oils and Fats Co., Ltd., and President Enterprise Corporation. The Taipei City Department of Health released the results of joint inspections conducted on July 2nd with consumer protection officers from the Department of Legal Affairs.

According to the Department of Health, during a joint inspection of Fu Mao Oils and Fats Co., Ltd.'s Taipei branch, it was clarified through contact with the company's headquarters that the total amount of implicated Yikang brand oil products under Fu Mao is 588 metric tons. Over 90% of this consists of large-volume packaging (18-liter or kilogram containers and bulk sales) for commercial use, primarily distributed to wholesale distributors nationwide and end-user restaurants.

To prevent food safety risks, the Department of Health stated that it has strictly ordered the company to submit oil inspection reports to the Department of Health by the deadline. It has also requested a list of distributors for oil that has entered the greater Taipei area and an update on the recall and disposal progress, to facilitate subsequent precautionary removal from shelves and source tracing.

Furthermore, the Department of Health reported that inspections were conducted today at 15 hypermarkets, 5 hotels, and 5 restaurants in Taipei City. No related non-compliant products were found on site. Fu Mao Oils and Fats Co., Ltd.'s Taipei branch and Nan Chiao Oils and Fats Co., Ltd. have both complied with requests from their upstream suppliers to return non-compliant products.

Regarding refunds, the Department of Legal Affairs stated that although Fu Mao Oils and Fats Co., Ltd. announced refund procedures today, these are limited to "refunds with empty containers from the affected batch." The company has been instructed to actively recall the remaining 425 containers of implicated oil. Additionally, for the over 10,000 containers of oil that have already been consumed, the company should proactively research and propose a reasonable compensation plan. The company has also been asked to expand the capacity of its 0800 customer service hotline to ensure smooth consultations outside of business hours. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150702

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