TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The number of people who became sick after eating at Taipei vegetarian restaurant Polam Kopitiam has risen to 30 after two more cases were reported on Sunday (March 31).

However, deputy health minister Wang Pi-sheng (王必勝) told CNA on Sunday that testing has found the two new cases were not the result of bongkrek acid poisoning. This toxin killed two and placed five in intensive care after customers ate at the Polam Kopitiam restaurant. 

Wang said the two new cases of food poisoning occurred after customers ate curry and drank milk tea at the restaurant’s Songshan branch. He said the patients are exhibiting symptoms likely caused by general food poisoning. 

The food poisoning cases that occurred at the Songshan store are unlikely to be connected with those that occurred in Xinyi, Wang said. He said the risk of illness is greater for those who ate at the Xinyi restaurant and asked the public to remain calm.

Wang said ingredients from the stores are still being inspected, though it is expected that rice noodles were the cause of the bongkrek acid poisoning. Wang said most of the 30 cases of illness now reported occurred March 19-24.