Man Released on NT$100,000 Bail for Spreading False Claims That FDA Ordered Zhonglian to Conceal Food Safety Data

(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chang-shun, Taipei, July 17) False rumors spread online claiming that Zhonglian Oil was found to have超标 benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) levels in April but was instructed by the government to keep it confidential due to the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) in May. The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a firm statement denying the claims as untrue.

Today, Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, under directive from prosecutors, coordinated with police and investigators to question Hsu, a man suspected of spreading the false information. He was later transferred to the prosecutors’ office and released on NT$100,000 bail after questioning.

Recently, on the social media platform Threads, posts claimed that a 'whistleblower at Zhonglian' reported超标 BaP levels in April to authorities, and that the Ministry of Health and Welfare instructed Zhonglian Oil to remain silent in preparation for its participation in the WHA in May. The FDA issued press releases refuting these claims, emphasizing they were false, and reported the information spreaders to judicial authorities.

The Taipei prosecutors’ office opened the case under guidance from the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office, with Chief Prosecutor Kuo Chin-chang and Prosecutor Yeh Yung-hsien directing the investigation. The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau’s Information Security Station and the National Police Agency’s Southern Crime Investigation Center jointly traced the source of the misinformation.

Prosecutors determined Hsu was suspected of spreading false information and today directed police and investigators to bring him in for questioning. He was transferred to the Taipei prosecutors’ office in the evening and released on NT$100,000 bail after questioning.

Legal experts noted that Article 46-1 of Taiwan’s Food Safety and Sanitation Act states that spreading rumors or false information regarding food safety that could cause public or individual harm is punishable by up to three years in prison, detention, or a fine of up to NT$1 million. (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150717

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