Taiwan bitter tea oil contamination

In late July 2026, the Taipei City Health Bureau acted on a self‑report from Yongfu Yu Biotech that a batch of its In‑land Golden Flower Bitter Tea Oil contained benzopyrene above the legal limit. The agency ordered an immediate recall of the affected bottles, expanded the recall to other stocks, offered refunds and credits, and launched a broader investigation into oil products.

A week later, prosecutors charged Weiga Co. with fraud and false labeling after testing confirmed that bitter tea oil sold under multiple brands, including those from Yongfu Yu Biotech, was contaminated. Eight batches were withdrawn, and several executives posted bail while the plant manager was detained. The Food and Drug Administration and northern prosecutors coordinated the probe, focusing on the supply chain and missing purchase records.

The case has progressed from a health‑risk recall to criminal proceedings, highlighting Taiwan's regulatory response and ongoing scrutiny of food‑oil safety.