Taiwanese prosecutors conducted a third search in the so-called 'Zhonglian' case that spilled into a food-safety controversy, Liberty Times reported. Prosecutors sought detention of the current and former general managers of the related firm Taishan, along with a ban on visits and communication.

The case turns on whether there were problems with the raw materials and handling of the distributed cooking oil, feeding public anxiety over food safety. A street rally over food safety is also expected this weekend.

Food-related cases bear directly on consumer trust. As the firms involved issue apologies, tracing raw materials and confirming distribution routes are seen as central to the investigation.

The investigation is still under way, and whether charges stand is a matter to be determined through judicial process. We do not presume anyone's guilt and present the confirmed progress of the probe alongside the parties' positions.

For Chinese-community restaurant workers in Korea and abroad, managing the sourcing and history of ingredients like cooking oil is a practical concern. We frame the case around institutional lessons and consumer information.