The government will not accept a NT$3 billion donation offered by Ting Hsin International Group to promote food safety, Health Minister Chiang Been-huang said Saturday.

Chiang said the conglomerate should first compensate food makers and consumers affected by its substandard oil products.

Ting Hsin has become the target of consumer boycotts since last October, when it was found to be selling cooking oils mixed with animal feed-grade fats.

At the suggestion of Ruentex Group Chairman Samuel Yin, Ting Hsin pledged to donate NT$3 billion to fund a food safety reform committee, intended to be led by Yin himself.

Yin later proposed that Ting Hsin donate the money to the Ministry of Health and Welfare instead to help the government’s efforts to improve food safety.