Taipei City: Carcinogen-Contaminated Cooking Oil Affects 42 Schools, Parents to be Informed

(Central News Agency, Reporter Chen Yu-ting, Taipei, July 3) A batch of soybean salad oil raw material from Chung Lien Co. was found to exceed the legal limit for the carcinogen "benzopyrene." The Taipei City Government announced today that a total of 4 catering service providers used the contaminated cooking oil, affecting 39 schools and 3 kindergartens. They have been ordered to stop using the oil and to proactively provide proper explanations to parents.

On July 1, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare received a report from Chung Lien Oil Corporation. A batch of soybean salad oil raw material, approximately 1,300 metric tons, supplied to Fwusow Industry Co., Fwumooo Oil Co., and Tai Shan Enterprise Co., was found to contain levels of the carcinogen "benzopyrene" exceeding the regulatory limit. This has led to the recall of 18 products across 30 batches.

The Taipei City Department of Health issued a press release this evening stating that its personnel inspected 11 downstream businesses of the contaminated cooking oil provided by the Taichung City Department of Health, including 9 retail outlets and 2 hotel restaurants. No issues were found on-site, and the businesses indicated they had cooperated with the recall and return of the non-compliant products. Follow-up investigations will continue to ensure public food safety.

The Taipei City Department of Education stated that to safeguard campus food safety, all schools and catering service providers have been instructed to immediately stop using and seal the contaminated cooking oil. As of 6:00 PM today, 4 catering service providers have reported using the oil from the announced batches, affecting 39 schools and 3 kindergartens.

The Department of Education added that in addition to collaborating with the Department of Health for on-site inspections to inventory and seal the oil, affected schools have been asked to proactively provide proper explanations to parents to alleviate concerns among students and parents and to stabilize the confidence of teachers, students, and parents.

The Department of Health stated that if a business discovers that its products pose a risk to public health and safety, it must proactively stop sales, recall the products, and report to the Department of Health. Failure to do so will result in a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$3,000,000 for violating Article 7 of the "Food Safety and Sanitation Act." Consumers are also reminded to immediately check cooking oil at home and stop consuming any products that raise concerns. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ru) 1150703

Stand with facts, your every donation is a force to protect press freedom

Download the CNA "First News" APP to get the latest news in real-time

Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.