Tainted oil recall's 20% threshold based on 2017 guidelines: Minister

Taipei, July 5 (CNA) Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said Sunday that the decision to order a precautionary recall of processed foods containing at least 20 percent carcinogen-tainted cooking oil was based on food safety guidelines established in 2017.

Shih made the remarks after the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) expanded its recall order late Saturday over soybean salad oil produced by Taichung-based Central Union Oil Corp. (中聯), which was found to contain excessive levels of the carcinogen benzopyrene.

The expanded recall covers two categories of products: unprocessed oil sold in its original form, such as soybean salad oil and blended oils; and processed foods containing 20 percent or more of the affected oil.

Products with smaller amounts are exempt from recall but must be disclosed. All affected products must be removed from shelves by midnight July 6, according to the TFDA.

Speaking before attending a public event, Shih said the 20 percent threshold follows the 2017 principles governing the recall, withdrawal and destruction of food products that violate safety standards and was reaffirmed at an expert meeting on Saturday.

He said tests found the contaminated oil's highest benzopyrene level to be about 8 micrograms per liter (8 parts per billion), roughly four times Taiwan's legal limit of 2 ppb.

Based on that finding, experts concluded products containing more than 20 percent of the tainted oil should be recalled, with products that later pass safety tests allowed to return to market, Shih said.

Responding to criticism that blended oils were added to the recall list only after public pressure, Shih said the decision was made following Saturday's expert review.

The contaminated batch, totaling about 1,300 metric tons, was supplied to three major Taiwanese companies -- Taisun Enterprise Co. (泰山), Fwusow Industry Co. (福壽) and Formosa Oilseed Processing Co. (福懋) -- before entering the downstream food supply chain.

The TFDA classifies the three companies as first-tier downstream distributors and 291 businesses supplied by them as second-tier operators.

Asked whether the ministry would release the names of those 291 businesses, Shih said authorities had already identified them but were prioritizing disclosure of affected products.

He added that all businesses using the tainted oil, including those using less than 20 percent, must disclose the relevant products or face penalties under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

Asked whether Central Union concealed information after second-tier downstream operator Namchow Group reportedly flagged concerns in April, Shih said Saturday's expert meeting had raised several unresolved questions, adding that the TFDA and Taichung City Health Bureau would conduct on-site inspections with prosecutors this week to clarify the matter.

Central Union will not be allowed to resume operations until the investigation concludes and the company addresses deficiencies in its production process, he said.