Taiwanese prosecutors raided 17 locations Tuesday, investigating fraud allegations connected to contaminated camellia oil products nationwide. Authorities summoned seven individuals for questioning regarding Dynas International Corp and an affiliated oil mill. This investigation centers on allegations of mislabeling and improperly sourced camellia seeds.
According to prosecutors, Dynas International allegedly imported Chinese camellia seeds and blended them with other stock. Subsequently, the company contracted Yuan Chuen oil mill in Chiayi County for processing. Taipei and Chiayi prosecutors coordinated this joint operation, raiding residences and offices connected to both companies.
The investigation began after Yuen Foong Yu Biotech reported concerning test results to health regulators recently. Specifically, the company detected benzoapyrene exceeding Taiwan’s legal safety limit within its camellia oil products. That contaminated batch, sold under the Green & Safe brand, measured 2.9 micrograms per kilogram.
Furthermore, regulators discovered the same raw camellia seed batch supplied three different products across six batches. Additionally, International Functional Food Co reported similarly elevated contamination levels within its own camellia oil supply. That product measured 2.6 micrograms per kilogram, also exceeding established safety thresholds significantly.
According to health officials, 780 bottles were produced from the initially contaminated batch alone. Consequently, 773 bottles had already reached consumers through retail stores and online sales channels. Health authorities have since recalled all affected camellia oil products from stores and warehouses.
Additionally, another unshipped batch containing 599 bottles was intercepted before reaching consumers entirely. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed it launched this investigation alongside local health bureau officials. Prosecutors subsequently opened their own formal investigation following direction from higher prosecutorial authorities.
Investigators are now analyzing supply chain data connecting Dynas International, the oil mill and various distributors. Since the mill served multiple brands as a contract manufacturer, investigators expanded their scope accordingly. Moving forward, this camellia oil scandal could prompt broader scrutiny of Taiwan’s food safety supply chains.
