Tainted oil from Taiwan still banned despite safety tests

The tainted oil in Taiwan's latest food scandal has met safety standards, the island's public health authority said on Monday, but the products will still be banned from sale.

Taiwan's consumers have been gripped by fear and anger after the island's police detained six people on Thursday who were selling hundreds of tons of recycled cooking oil made from kitchen waste and grease from leather processing plants.

Chang Guann Co, a well-established cooking oil supplier in Taiwan, purchased the recycled oil to produce 782 tons of lard, with 645 tons sold to 971 food companies and restaurants, including a number of leading brands.