Who Is Responsible for the Toxic Oil Scandal? Chung Lien Oils Exposed for Hiding Batches — Engineer: Lai Qingde Is Still Eating 'Additive-Free' Dog Food

The toxic oil scandal has intensified, with Chung Lien Oils found to have carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene levels exceeding safety standards. Occurring during an election year, the food safety crisis has not only raised public concern but also triggered a political storm. Today (16th), the Facebook fan page 'Engineer Views Politics' criticized that two weeks after the incident, the government has failed to swiftly trace product flows, identify problem sources, review regulations, or hold officials accountable. By the DPP’s own past standards, the Minister of Health and Welfare, the head of the Food and Drug Administration, and even the Premier should resign. Yet, Premier Cho Jung-tai has been largely absent, while President Lai Qingde remains busy 'eating dog food'!

The Chung Lien Oils case now involves multiple batches of oil with carcinogen levels exceeding limits. According to the latest recall progress released by the FDA today, over 1,300 downstream businesses have been affected, including well-known chain stores. Notably, the FDA revealed that Chung Lien failed to report another batch produced on April 1 (Batch No. 314-1150401), resulting in an additional NT$3 million fine. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an named Cho Jung-tai as responsible and called for Lai Qingde to apologize to the public. However, the DPP countered that the KMT is smearing them to cover up Taichung City’s own failures.

The engineer outlined the ideal steps for handling a food safety crisis:

- Identify products and trace distribution: Publicly list all known end products, recall all secondary products, and establish a dedicated website to update information daily so the public can access and avoid contaminated goods. - Quickly identify the root cause: Why did upstream tests pass while downstream ones failed? Why was toxicity only confirmed upon retesting? Was the issue in raw materials, processing, or another link? - Review mechanisms: Why did it take two months to detect the toxic oil? Reform rules swiftly and ensure accountability.

In reality, the DPP government initially concealed information, refusing to disclose product lists or recall secondary goods. It only began releasing 200–300 items after public outrage, causing citizens to consume toxic oil for several extra days. Over the past two weeks, neither the president nor the premier has been visible—Cho focused on election campaigning and attacking the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, while Lai promoted 'pure, natural, additive-free' dog food, a deeply ironic move.

The government then deployed online supporters to frame Nanchiao as a co-conspirator, suggesting a desire to punish those who exposed the problem. Currently, 27,000 tons of oil are known to be affected, yet only 100 tons have been recovered. The DPP plans to allow oil re-listing, prioritizing business revenue over consumer safety. Photos of Lai Qingde and Fushou Group Chairman Hung Yao-kun at a pet fair suggest close ties. The engineer concluded that since toxic oil doesn’t kill immediately, slogans like 'Resist China, Protect Taiwan' suffice, and when legislators questioned the party’s numbness, the DPP replied, 'Don’t eat chicken cutlets,' while the FDA claimed 'barbecue poses higher risks,' leaving businesses nationwide offended. With Cho acting arrogantly, it seems only Nanchiao will be the scapegoat, with no real accountability.