TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Prosecutors on Thursday sought to detain Dynas International Corp. procurement agent Chen Chung Hsiu-hui (陳鐘秀惠) and farmer Chen Yuan-nung (陳沅農) after an investigation into benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-contaminated camellia oil expanded into a suspected fraud case involving imported Chinese camellia seeds allegedly mislabeled as Taiwanese.
As part of the ongoing investigation into edible camellia oil containing excessive BaP, a carcinogen, authorities traced the source of multiple contaminated products to Yuan Chuen factory in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, per NOWNews.
Investigators found that the factory's own camellia oil, extracted from Chinese-grown camellia seeds, complied with food safety standards. However, a batch processed under contract for Dynas International, which was reportedly made from domestically grown camellia seeds, contained elevated BaP levels.
Food and Drug Administration Southern Center for Regional Administration Director Wei Jen-ting (魏任廷) said Dynas International procured camellia seeds from Chen Yuan-nung, per UDN. He added that authorities later found Chen Yuan-nung had purchased the seeds from a third party and lacked documentation tracing their origin, and that they are continuing to investigate the seed source.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office, working with the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office, searched Yuan Chuen, Dynas International, Mei Shan Tea Seed Oil Manufactory Cooperative, and the residences of the suspects while questioning seven suspects, per UP Media. Prosecutors said the searches were launched after the Food and Drug Administration found evidence suggesting Dynas International may have mixed Chinese-grown camellia seeds into products labeled as Taiwanese.
After reviewing Dynas International's import and export records, prosecutors said the company may have sought to reduce costs by purchasing Chinese-grown camellia seeds through Chen Yuan-nung, per Liberty Times. Prosecutors requested the detention of Chen Chung Hsiu-hui and Chen Yuan-nung, while three other Dynas International suspects were released on bail.
The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office released three suspects from Yuan Chuen and Mei Shan Tea Seed Oil Manufactory Cooperative without bail. Prosecutors said the investigation would continue because the case involves the camellia seed oil supply chain and the potential involvement of the two oil extraction companies, per China Times.
A Camellia seed oil farmer surnamed Hsu (徐) had previously expressed concern that the case could damage the reputation of Taiwan's domestic camellia seed oil industry after Chen Yuan-nung claimed his seeds were sourced domestically, per UDN. He said the normal harvesting and processing of camellia seeds does not involve high-temperature roasting, which can produce BaP if done improperly.
Hsu suggested the contamination may instead have occurred during the oil extraction process.
