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High Court raises compensation in plasticizer case

High Court raises compensation in plasticizer case
High Court raises compensation in plasticizer case

High Court raises compensation in plasticizer case

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Taiwan High Court on Wednesday awarded NT$3.95 million (US$124,000) in a class action case brought by the Consumers’ Foundation against the producers of toxic plasticizers, more than in previous rulings but still far removed from the NT$2.3 billion (US$72 million) demanded.
Yu Shen Chemical Co. and Pin Han Perfumery Co. were found in 2011 to have used toxic plasticizer DEHP in clouding agents instead of palm oil for the production of beverages and fruit jams. The scandal was one of the first of many food safety alerts which would rock Taiwan’s food sector and lead to recalls at home and overseas for Taiwanese products.
In 2013, the New Taipei District Court ruled in favor of a NT$1.2 million (US$37,700) compensation total to be paid by Yu Shen, Pin Han and 16 other companies for more than 200 consumers based on receipts for relevant products bought and consumed.
The Consumers’ Foundation was dissatisfied with that verdict and filed a class action suit on behalf of 461 consumers. It said it would discuss Wednesday’s High Court ruling before deciding whether or not to appeal.
The latest ruling added NT$2.75 million to the original district court verdict from 2013, reports said.
The High Court made a distinction between Yu Shen and Pin Han on one side and the companies that had unwittingly used the products with the plasticizers as ingredients for their own products.
The judges also rejected claims for “spiritual damage,” while several consumers reached private agreements with the manufacturers, thus lowering the sums the foundation was asking for, reports said.