Contaminated Salad Oil Plant Halts Production; Public Health Experts Urge Against Detox Fads for Accidental Consumers

(Central News Agency, Taipei, July 2 -- Reporters Chen Jie-ling and Tseng Yi-ning) Carcinogenic substance levels exceeded the limit in salad oil from three major brands. Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-liang emphasized that a recall has been initiated and the plant ordered to halt production to clarify the cause. The Taipei Society of Public Health Professionals urged those who may have accidentally consumed the product not to panic and to avoid unproven detox remedies.

Hsueh Jui-liang, invited to attend and be questioned at a review of the "Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act Amendment Bill" and other proposals by the Legislative Yuan's Committee on Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene, was asked by reporters before the meeting about the incident where carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene levels were found to exceed the limit in soybean salad oil used by Zhonglian Oils and its downstream partners, Tai Shan, Fu Shou, and Fu Mao.

Hsueh Jui-liang stated that on the evening of June 30, Zhonglian Oils Co., Ltd. voluntarily reported according to law that 18 product items and 21 batches of soybean salad oil, totaling approximately 1,300 metric tons, were found to contain the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene during self-testing. Therefore, a recall was immediately announced yesterday.

Hsueh Jui-liang explained that the manufacturer's raw materials and oil were tested in April and found to be compliant at that time. However, after subsequent findings of abnormalities in the finished product, residual materials were traced back and found to be non-compliant.

Hsueh Jui-liang pointed out that the Food and Drug Administration and local health bureaus are currently collaborating to clarify what went wrong during the process, whether it was an issue with temperature control during manufacturing or other circumstances, which are still under investigation. The plant has been preliminarily ordered to halt production.

In response, the Taipei Society of Public Health Professionals issued a press release stating that although this incident was discovered through the company's self-testing and voluntary reporting, demonstrating the early warning function of the food safety self-management system, over a thousand metric tons of product still entered the downstream supply chain, indicating room for improvement in high-risk food processing and supply chain management.

The Taipei Society of Public Health Professionals emphasized that the benzo(a)pyrene concentration detected in this soybean salad oil was 8.1 μg/kg, approximately four times Taiwan's legal limit, and all circulation must be stopped according to law, with the recall completed. Moving forward, in addition to continuing the recall of problematic products, the source of contamination must be thoroughly investigated, management systems reviewed, and monitoring mechanisms strengthened to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Benzo(a)pyrene is highly lipophilic and easily found in oils and high-fat foods. Humans are primarily exposed through diet. While a single consumption may not cause acute health hazards, long-term repeated exposure will increase the risk of gene mutation and cancer. The Society of Public Health Professionals advises consumers to verify products according to the announcement, immediately stop consumption, and follow the company's announcement for returns.

The Society of Public Health Professionals reminds the public that if they have accidentally consumed related products, they need not panic excessively due to the risk of long-term cumulative exposure. It is recommended to maintain a balanced diet and normal lifestyle, and avoid relying on unscientifically proven detox products or folk remedies.

Benzo(a)pyrene is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, known to be carcinogenic to humans, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is primarily produced during incomplete combustion of organic matter, high-temperature processing, or environmental pollution, and can also contaminate edible oils and other foods. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150702

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