Taiwan President Lai Ching‑te Faces Food‑Safety Outcry Over Oil Scandal

The Kuomintang’s cultural affairs chief, Chen Yixin, criticised President Lai Ching‑te for what he called double standards in handling the recent Zhonglian oil products scandal. He recalled the 2014 Topco oil controversy, when then‑Mayor Lai demanded investigations and apologies from the Ma Ying‑jeou administration, and urged the current president to apologise and hold accountable Premier Chou Jong‑tai, Health Minister Shih Tsung‑liang and FDA chief Jiang Chih‑kang. Chen said the regulatory agency had known of abnormal test results but failed to alert the public promptly, allowing questionable products to remain on the market.

The opposition demands higher food‑safety standards, alleging that the administration’s response is inconsistent with its past rhetoric. The debate centers on the government's transparency, responsibility for public health, and the political repercussions for Lai’s administration.