Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration ordered a preventive cooking oil recall affecting three separate product batches. Central Union Oil Corp produced all three batches, which tested positive for excessive benzopyrene levels. The agency confirmed this action Wednesday, citing serious consumer safety concerns nationwide.
According to officials, CUOC first reported contamination on June 30 regarding soy cooking oil produced in April. That batch exceeded the maximum allowable benzopyrene limit of two parts per billion. Benzopyrene is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by international cancer research authorities.
Subsequently, Taisun Enterprise Co reported additional contamination last Tuesday involving a separate cooking oil batch. Furthermore, Namchow Oil & Fat identified another affected batch Thursday evening with even higher contamination levels. FDA Director-General Chiang Chih-kang confirmed all three batches showed excessive benzopyrene, indicating systemic quality issues.
Chiang suggested major deficiencies likely existed within CUOC’s raw material inspection and production processes. Consequently, authorities ordered CUOC to suspend production until identifying causes and confirming effective improvements. Officials met Friday with CUOC and downstream companies to accelerate tracking and recall efforts.
All products linked to the tainted cooking oil, manufactured between April and June, required immediate removal. Retailers nationwide had to clear shelves of affected products by Friday noon. Meanwhile, Chiang explained that earlier products likely already reached consumers before contamination discovery occurred.
Therefore, investigators are focusing specifically on products manufactured during the highest-risk April through June window. Regarding relisting affected products, Chiang said the FDA is developing science-based safety criteria. Officials plan consulting internal and external experts to establish clear, appropriate standards moving forward.
Additionally, the Executive Yuan announced a refund policy covering all affected cooking oil products immediately. Consumers can return products directly to three designated suppliers using toll-free hotlines provided. Those lacking purchase proof can still return products or empty bottles to major retailers.
Officials also established a nationwide complaint hotline addressing disputes arising during this refund process. Moving forward, authorities aim to restore consumer confidence while strengthening oversight across Taiwan’s cooking oil industry.
