Taiwan Sugar faces scrutiny over unreported benzopyrene contamination

In May 2024 Taiwan Sugar Corp. discovered that a batch of crude oil supplied by Zhonglian Oil (311号油槽) contained benzopyrene (BaP) levels far above the legal limit. The company rejected the oil but did not report the finding to the Food and Drug Administration or local authorities, arguing that the material was a raw ingredient, not a finished food product.

Kuomintang legislators demanded a full investigation, asserting that under the Food Safety and Health Act Taiwan Sugar is obligated to report any material that poses a health risk. They called for the disclosure of the quantity of contaminated oil and the fate of all related batches. The Ministry of Economic Affairs defended the firm, stating that Taiwan Sugar performed high‑standard self‑inspection and that the law’s reporting requirement applies only to finished food items. The controversy has sparked a debate over food‑safety oversight, legal interpretation, and accountability of the state‑owned enterprise.