Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Thursday ordered a sweeping recall of cooking oil products linked to Central Union Oil Corporation after tests found excessive levels of Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a group 1 carcinogen, as the food safety crisis continues to widen. 

The Cabinet said all oil products produced by the company between April and June, along with related downstream goods, must be removed from the shelves as a precaution. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported 401 affected items as of Wednesday, July 8, with additional batches from April and May confirmed to exceed safety limits.   

Premier Cho also directed central and local governments to assist consumers in filing class-action lawsuits. Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said, “Based on the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, both central and local governments have mechanisms to assist consumers in filing group litigation. At this moment, they must work together to help consumers and connect them with consumer protection groups to safeguard their rights.”

Officials said litigation costs would be covered by the Health Ministry’s food safety fund, while retailers were urged to accept returns broadly and quickly with proof of purchase.