Taichung group catering operators are in trouble due to lack of oil. Councilors criticize the city government for merely acting as a "switchboard" without providing substantial assistance.

Councilors Chen Yurong (left), Xie Jiayi and Chen Yahui questioned the city government for not actively assisting group catering operators to solve the problem of not being able to buy oil. (Photo by reporter Su Mengjuan)

The Zhonglian Oils and Fats carcinogen oil scandal has not ended, and schools are about to start school. Many group catering operators in Taichung City have reported that they cannot buy oil and are worried about providing meals when schools start. Many lawmakers are concerned that the Economic Development Bureau only issued a document to the phone numbers of three major oil factories that operators can contact, but when they called to inquire, they all said that there was no stock. They questioned that the Lu City Government was only acting as a "switchboard" and had no actual assistance. Taichung City Deputy Mayor Huang Guorong pointed out that he would further find a solution. Director of Economic Development Zhang Fengyuan also pointed out that the industry will be invited to hold a meeting with the Industrial Development Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs as soon as possible.

Taichung City Councilor Lin Deyu pointed out that the Taichung City Education Bureau has completely banned all oil products of three companies, namely Fu Mao, Fu Shou and Taishan, including the Chung Lian Oil series, including sunflower oil, which is not a soybean salad oil product. With the start of school soon, Taichung City’s nutritious lunch group catering operators are in a dilemma of having no oil to buy. Although the Economic Development Bureau issued a document listing oil products including Tai Tong Yi, Chang Hui, and Taiwan Sugar. The windows of the three oil product manufacturers allowed them to inquire on their own. However, after inquiries, the original quantities of the three oil product manufacturers were only enough to meet the delivery requirements of the original customers, or they had to bid on their own and follow the dealer's call. If the price was not accepted, they would not be able to buy oil at all. Some operators reported that the amount of oil currently purchased was only enough to supply nutritious lunches for three or five days, which was a serious problem.

City councilors Xie Jiayi, Chen Yurong, and Chen Yahui are also concerned that group meal operators report that they cannot buy oil. They may face problems in providing nutritious lunches in the first week of school. The Economic Development Bureau only provides telephone numbers for operators to find oil on their own. It only has a "switchboard" function and cannot meet the needs of operators to purchase oil. Like a "switchboard", it only makes superficial efforts and does not propose real solutions.

Zhang Fengyuan said that he will hold a meeting with the industry this week and will coordinate with those who can have safe and usable oil to discuss the response. Huang Guorong pointed out that the city government is paying attention to this matter and it is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. There will be further cross-bureau discussions on solutions.