In addition, the man frying the youtiao was only half-dressed, and the frying oil was as dark and thick as old engine oil, the report said. Food that has been fried in old oil can cause gastrointestinal upsets, vomiting, liver damage, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The Taichung Health Bureau said it had launched an investigation into the allegations, but the factory was closed yesterday and investigators have not been able to contact the owner. It quoted the man as saying he replaced the frying oil “when he felt like it,” and that wholesalers or shops came to collect bags of youtiao from him. The bureau said frying oil can easily go bad due to chemical reactions with water and oxygen, and food coated with flour can leave crumbs, so food manufacturers should frequently replace frying oil.

Source: Taipei Times July 10, 2016 16:02 UTC