Taipei: Two Taiwanese consumer groups have initiated legal actions concerning cooking oil contaminated with excessive levels of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), with potential claims involving schools estimated to reach NT$6 billion (US$188 million).
According to Focus Taiwan, the Consumer Protection Association in Taiwan (CPAT) has begun accepting applications from schools seeking compensation on behalf of affected students, faculty, and staff. The association plans to name Central Union Oil Corp., Taisun Enterprise Co., Fwusow Industry Co., and Formosa Oilseed Processing Co. as defendants. CPAT Vice President Lin Chi-hsiang stated that this legal action builds on a 2015 lawsuit in which the association sought approximately NT$3.7 billion for around 20,000 students at over 90 schools affected by a previous tainted cooking oil scandal. With more than 1,000 schools affected in the current case, CPAT anticipates the claims to set a new record.
Schools and contracted meal suppliers can download application forms from the CPAT website. They are advised to compile student lists and supporting documentation before submitting applications by October 30.
Separately, the Consumers' Foundation, Chinese Taipei has launched legal proceedings on behalf of individual consumers, initially naming the same four companies as defendants. Foundation Chairman Teng Wei-chung mentioned that additional companies might be added if investigations determine further responsibility. Eligible consumers can register online and should retain proof of purchase while authorities continue to identify affected products, according to the foundation.
In addition to compensation for purchases, the foundation intends to seek punitive damages ranging from one to five times the amount of consumers' losses under Taiwan's Consumer Protection Act. The foundation argued that consumers exposed to a carcinogenic substance experienced health concerns and psychological distress, even if they had not developed cancer, although establishing a direct causal link between the contaminated oil and any illness may prove challenging.
The scandal surfaced after seven batches of cooking oil produced by Central Union between April and June were discovered to contain excessive levels of BaP, prompting widespread recalls. Subsequent government testing revealed that the company's other available batches met food safety standards.