Taiwan contaminated soybean salad oil scandal spreads to 360 firms

A batch of roughly 1,300 tons of soybean salad oil supplied by Zhonglian Oil was found to contain the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene at levels four times the legal limit. The contaminant was first detected after a downstream user re‑tested the product in June, prompting a nationwide food‑safety crisis.

The Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has identified 360 downstream companies—including major brands such as Tai‑Shan, Fu‑Shou and Fu‑Mao—and ordered immediate recall of the offending oil and any processed foods containing more than 20 % of it. Five remedial measures have been announced, including public disclosure of affected batches, pre‑emptive removal from shelves, consumer‑rights protection, a dedicated online information hub, and legal action against violators.

Local authorities in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan and other jurisdictions have conducted extensive inspections, pulled products, and audited school‑meal programs. Over 40 schools in Taipei, 50 in New Taipei and 39 in Taichung were reported to have used the oil. Only about 17 tons of the problematic oil have been recovered so far.

Political leaders have criticised the central government's delayed response, with the KMT demanding accountability and the Taipei mayor calling for full transparency. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will meet with four domestic oil refineries to tighten raw‑material testing and traceability procedures.