Efforts are being redoubled to ensure Taiwan’s food safety following the discovery of lard-based oils made with kitchen and industry waste, Vice Premier Mao Chih-kuo said Sept. 9.
“Producing and selling such waste oil is a gross violation of the nation’s food and sanitation acts, he said. “Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“The Ministry of Health and Welfare will consult experts and scholars and re-examine existing oil inspection regulations so as to ensure such cases never happen again.”
Mao's remarks came in response to Sept. 1 reports that the tainted oil used in food products sold nationwide since March was produced by a company with Good Manufacturing Practice certification.
A special task force headed by Mao was set up Sept. 5 to coordinate government measures and responses in this regard. All relevant agencies have been directed to keep the public up to speed on the latest developments, including results of further inspections and risk management measures.
According to the MOHW, audits of 235 local food companies implicated in the scandal show 213 products made with gutter oil. “These firms have been ordered to issue product recalls, with local health departments responsible for follow-up inspections and product destruction,” an MOHW official said.
The Ministries of Economic Affairs and Finance are looking into shipments containing such tainted oil and mapping out risk measures to protect the reputation of Taiwan’s food exports, while the MOHW is communicating with authorities of affected destination countries.
At the same time, the Ministry of Justice is examining bank accounts of firms and individuals involved in the scandal to secure their assets in the event of court-ordered confiscations. (SFC-JSM)
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