Recycled cooking oil of supplier caught up in Taiwan food scandal passes government test
Officials say one of three samples of Chang Guann's refined 'Chuan Tung' lard made with 'gutter oil' meets hygiene levels, as inquiry continues into its use in the products of nearly 1,000 food makers
Taiwan’s cooking oil supplier Chang Guann – caught up in a last week’s scandal after nearly 1,000 food makers, including restaurants, bakeries and food plants were found to have used “gutter oil” in products – has passed a government test of its recycled lard oil.
Fears over food safety on the island came to light last Thursday after it was reported that the Kaoshiung-based Chang Guann had mixed the “gutter oil” with other proper lard oil, in a ratio of 1:2, to produce 782 tonnes of “Chuan Tung” oil, which was then sold to businesses.
However, the Food and Drug Administration released test results today showing one sample of the oil had passed hygiene requirements; two other different samples of the oil – all obtained by the prosecutors investigating the scandal – had failed the tests.
“Our lab results show that Chuan Tung lard had been refined and, except for the heavy metal part – the test for which has yet to be completed – the lard oil meets all the [hygiene] requirements,” said Chen Hui-fang, head of the administration’s research and inspection section.
She said the tested sample of Chuan Tung lard appeared in a “pure white” form with a “fragrant smell”.
Two other samples – which had both failed the lab tests – had been collected from primary and secondary sources, she said.
One of these samples had come from an unlicensed lard factory, owned by Kuo Lieh-cheng, in the southern county of Pingtung; the other sample had come from Chang Guann, before it had refined the recycled oil, Chen said.