State Council's Food Safety Office Reports on Investigation and Handling of Tanker Transported Edible Oil Situation (AI Translation)

国务院食安办通报“罐车运输食用油”调查处置情况

In response to media reports about "irregularities in tank truck transportation of edible vegetable oil," the State Council's Food Safety Office, alongside several national agencies, formed a joint investigation team. They were dispatched to Hebei, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, and Shaanxi to thoroughly trace the involved products, examine illegal actions, identify causes, and assign responsibilities. A full-chain nationwide inspection was also conducted, and no other similar issues have been found elsewhere. A Xinhua News Agency report confirmed the egregious nature of the mixed transportation, citing violations of basic common sense, moral boundaries, and legal lines, warranting severe punishment [para. 1].

**Illegal Facts:** The investigation covered the actions of the tanker truck licensed Ji E5476W, driven by Yao Moumou. Starting on May 22 from Ningxia with Fischer-Tropsch crude liquid wax, the truck’s journey included multiple stops across various locations before ultimately unloading 35.91 tons of edible vegetable oil in Shaanxi on May 27. Upon realizing the violation, Gao Mouqun, the truck’s owner, attempted to cover up the issue using a false cleaning receipt. Another tanker, Hebei E6365Z, driven by Zhang Moumou, followed a similar pattern, transporting edible oil after previously carrying coal-based oil without proper cleaning, which was later proven false [para. 2].

**Tracing the Flow:** The truck Ji E5476W transported 35.91 tons of oil, with 11 tons intended for feed processing, while 24.91 tons were unsold and sealed. The truck Ji E6365Z carried 31.86 tons; 2.48 tons were sealed, and the remaining 29.38 tons were sold in several portions. A total of 7.78 tons of sold but unused oil were retrieved and sealed. The used 21.6 tons were confined to Ordos City in Inner Mongolia and did not spread to other regions [para. 3].

**Determination of Responsibility:** China's Food Safety Law and Grain Circulation Management Regulations, among other standards, mandate the use of safe, dedicated vehicles for transporting food, prohibiting mixing with toxic substances. Violations by the transportation company, the vehicle owner, drivers, and the purchasing company render them liable for administrative and possibly criminal penalties. The production company also holds responsibility for stipulating buyer responsibility for transport in the sales contract, violating food safety provisions. Local authorities have taken action against various legal representatives and owners of involved companies and vehicles. Public security has filed criminal cases against the drivers and imposed administrative penalties on several involved individuals [para. 4].

**Penalties:** Administrative penalties were leveled against seven companies, including the revocation of road transport business licenses and significant fines. These penalties affected Hebei Xingtai Zhuoran United Transport Fleet (1.68 million yuan), Hebei Xingtai Haoyuan Logistics Co., Ltd. (1.51 million yuan), and others. Local government officials and regulatory personnel in Xingtai displayed lapses in management and are held accountable. Local disciplinary and supervisory authorities will probe any public officials' negligence or misconduct uncovered during the investigation [para. 5][para. 6].

**Future Measures:** The State Council Food Safety Office and relevant departments plan to continue a special rectification campaign on the transportation of edible vegetable oil by tank trucks. Measures include enforcing dedicated vehicle use, adopting a "zero tolerance" approach to illegal activities, strengthening full-chain management, and improving regulatory coordination. Social supervision is encouraged to ensure oil safety [para. 7].

In summary, the investigative response to irregularities in tank truck transportation of edible oil revealed severe legal violations and has led to administrative and criminal actions against involved parties, emphasizing strict future regulatory measures.