By reporter Hsieh Yi-Hsuan, Taipei, July 14 (Central News Agency)

The Chung Lien edible oil scandal continues to escalate, prompting Taiwan Sugar to proactively recall nine products as a precautionary measure. Today, Taiwan Sugar Chairman Wu Ming-Chang stated that the volume of oil recalled reached 28.81 million tons, with estimated losses amounting to tens of millions of New Taiwan Dollars. The latest test results are expected to be released on the 24th, and products will be relisted if they pass inspection.

In the afternoon, Taiwan Sugar held a press conference titled 'Taiwan Sugar 80th Anniversary: Big Prize Draw and Charity Run Relay.' After the event, Chairman Wu Ming-Chang addressed media inquiries, explaining that Taiwan Sugar operates its own oil pressing facilities and primarily imports U.S. soybeans to produce and refine crude oil. Due to a recent surge in sales, internal production could not meet demand, leading the company to purchase crude oil from Formosa, a downstream supplier of Chung Lien. Two purchases were made this year, with all crude oil confirmed as passing inspection before being transported back for refining.

Wu explained that the volume of oil subject to precautionary recall is approximately 28.81 million tons, with estimated losses in the tens of millions of NTD, including inspection fees, logistics, and labor costs. Consumer demand has also been affected recently.

Regarding the timeline for relisting, Wu stated that products can only be relisted after health authorities conduct sampling inspections and confirm compliance. Due to high inspection demand, results are expected by the 24th, and products will resume sales if approved.

Wu emphasized that as a state-owned enterprise, Taiwan Sugar maintains strict internal controls, and employees would not dare to take shortcuts or make unauthorized additions—they strictly follow procedures.

Taiwan Sugar clarified that the crude oil raw material linked to the Chung Lien incident was used in soybean salad oil produced between June 1 and July 9 (batch numbers: 20270531 to 20270708). Some products were voluntarily recalled in coordination with government directives, and all samples submitted for testing on July 1 returned negative results.

The company stressed that although only a portion of its oil products used crude oil from Formosa, a downstream supplier of Chung Lien, and all test results were satisfactory, it still complied with policy by conducting a precautionary recall. With the Zhongyuan Ghost Festival approaching and market demand for cooking oil expected to rise, Taiwan Sugar hopes to resume shipments as soon as possible to prevent shortages.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced three principles for relisting: source segregation, batch-by-batch verification, and upstream-downstream traceability. Taiwan Sugar added that since different production dates from the same oil tank result in different batch numbers, requiring individual testing for each batch would impose significant financial burdens, potentially overload inspection capacity, delay shipments, and disrupt oil supply during the Ghost Festival.

Regarding some consumers bringing empty bottles to stores requesting refunds or exchanges, Taiwan Sugar stated that since its oil products are only under precautionary recall, they are not eligible for return or exchange under the current policy. (Edited by Pan Yi-Ching)