Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen have announced plans to lead a protest on Ketagalan Boulevard on July 25, citing concerns over a recent food safety scandal involving over 1,000 tons of soybean salad oil contaminated with the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene. The move follows accusations that the central government failed to adequately manage the crisis, while government officials have criticized the local response for causing unnecessary public panic.
Escalating Political Conflict Over Food Safety
The controversy centers on oil produced by the Taichung-based firm Zhonglian Oil, which was found to contain levels of benzo(a)pyrene exceeding safety standards. While the government initiated investigations into downstream companies—including major manufacturers like Tai-San, Fushou, and Fumei—opposition figures have intensified their rhetoric. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has called for President Lai Ching-te to apologize and for Premier Cho Jung-tai to resign, labeling the situation a matter of national security.
Chiang also criticized Democratic Progressive Party spokesperson Wu Cheng, alleging he responded dismissively to media inquiries regarding the scandal. The opposition argues that the central government initially withheld information about affected manufacturers and failed to mandate an immediate preventive recall of all related products.
Did You Know?
The current food safety crisis has prompted comparisons to the 2014 “gutter oil” scandal, a major event that resulted in the resignations of then-Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Wen-ta and Food and Drug Administration Director-General Yeh Ming-kung. Opposition members are currently citing this precedent to pressure current Health Minister Shi Chong-liang and FDA Director-General Jiang Zhi-gang.
Administrative Friction Between Central and Local Authorities
The dispute has evolved into a public clash between the central government and the Taichung City government. Administrative Yuan head Cho Jung-tai stated that the Taichung city government acted to “rush” the process by releasing a list of downstream manufacturers and product distribution data without allowing for national cross-referencing, which he argued generated avoidable public alarm.
Conversely, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has defended the move, stating that central authorities pressured local officials to avoid inspecting factories or disclosing product flows. Lu has faced counter-criticism from local legislators, who pointed out that the Taichung City government had only conducted one oil inspection in the four years since 2022, raising questions about the local oversight of the Zhonglian facility.
Anticipated Developments
With the July 25 protest date set, the situation is likely to remain a focal point of political debate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary health concern regarding the oil?
The soybean salad oil produced by Zhonglian Oil was found to contain levels of the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) that exceeded safety standards.
Why are mayors Chiang Wan-an and Lu Shiow-yen protesting?
They are protesting to demand accountability from the central government, alleging that officials failed to provide timely information and did not handle the food safety crisis with sufficient urgency.
What is the central government’s criticism of the local response?
Premier Cho Jung-tai criticized the Taichung city government for publishing manufacturer lists and product flow data without central verification, which he stated caused unnecessary public panic.
Will the upcoming protest on July 25 lead to a change in how the government manages the disclosure of food safety incident data?
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