A soybean salad oil contamination case involving Central Union Oil Corporation has drawn attention to delays in reporting and recalls. The issue emerged ahead of local elections, giving opposition parties an opening to criticize the ruling Democratic Progressive Party government.
Taiwan’s food authorities reported that Central Union Oil Corporation, based in Taichung, produced 28,992 tonnes of soybean salad oil across 30 batches from April to June. The oil was supplied to Fwusow Industry, Formosa Oilseed Processing, and Taisun Enterprise. The batches contained excessive levels of benzo[a]pyrene.
Namchow Group identified abnormal levels during testing on May 13. Central Union Oil Corporation received the information on June 11 but informed regulators only on June 30. The government made the issue and recall measures public on July 3.
The timing has allowed opposition groups to question the effectiveness of the response by the Democratic Progressive Party administration. No further details on the scale of distribution or health impacts have been released in the sources.
