TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung prosecutors launched a second round of searches into Central Union Oil Corp. on Wednesday and are now seeking detention of the company’s plant manager over oil products found to contain excessive levels of carcinogens.
Taichung District Prosecutors Office said Thursday it questioned the plant manager surnamed Chen (陳) and two other defendants while collecting evidence, per CNA. After questioning, prosecutors requested Chen’s detention and a denial of visitation rights for allegedly violating the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.
Prosecutors said the second search followed an initial investigation launched on July 9 and aimed to clarify how Central Union Oil handled abnormalities involving raw materials, production, and finished products. Investigators also sought to determine the responsibilities of related personnel.
Prosecutors also questioned nine Central Union employees involved in oil production and quality control. Investigators seized mobile phones, cloud data, and other electronic devices, while obtaining sales records for seven batches of salad oil found to contain excessive levels of benzopyrene, per PTS.
Prosecutors said the three defendants were suspected of breaking food safety laws after reviewing evidence and witness statements. They said Chen may destroy evidence or collude with co-defendants and witnesses, while the other two defendants were released on NT$1 million (US$31,000) bail each, per UDN.
