TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday that all previously untested samples produced by Central Union Oil (中聯油) from April to June had passed inspection.
Previously, seven of 30 samples were found to contain excessive levels of the carcinogen benzopyrene (BaP), triggering widespread product recalls. Each of the substandard samples was linked to two raw oil batches produced on April 8 and April 13 and had already been flagged as substandard, per an FDA press release.
Taiwan’s health ministry had fined Taichung-based Central Union Oil NT$165.2 million (US$5.6 million) for failing to report tainted cooking oil on time on July 7. This led to a suspension of operations, product recall, and mass testing of downstream products.
In addition to clearing untested samples from this period, the FDA also released test results for 171 downstream food products made with Central Union Oil's cooking oil. Five products failed inspection, all of which were linked to the previously identified contaminated oil batches.
Health authorities said an advisory committee will soon be formed to invite experts in food safety, toxicology, and risk assessment to review test results and offer recommendations. The agency said the committee's conclusions will be released to the public as soon as possible.
The agency has appointed an independent panel of food science and food technology experts to conduct an on-site inspection of Central Union Oil beginning Tuesday, examining the company's manufacturing processes, quality management systems, and operations. Results are expected to be completed within one week, with findings made available to the public, per the press release.
The FDA said it will soon propose amendments to the Act Governing Food Safety and Management. Proposed revisions would require more self-inspections by high-risk food manufacturers, new laboratory management and reporting requirements, third-party verification, and strengthened traceability and enforcement measures. Proposed amendments would be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration later this week.
