TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A suspected food poisoning outbreak at branches of a bento vendor in New Taipei’s Xindian District has hospitalized 99 people, prompting authorities to suspend the shop’s operations.
New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) on Wednesday said all three branches of Chin Liu Cuisine (清六食堂) have been closed and ingredients are being tested, per CNA. He said once results are confirmed, authorities will take legal action and issue fines as appropriate.
Hou said the city will fully support affected customers, and the New Taipei Department of Health will have consumer protection officers assist with compensation claims.
On Monday, 17 customers reported falling ill after buying bento boxes from the Zhongxing and Gongsuo stores during the Tomb Sweeping Festival holiday, per CNA. By Tuesday, the number of reported cases had risen to 44, with common items including white rice, cabbage, and fried or braised eggs.
As of 10 a.m, Wednesday, the health department said 55 additional people had sought medical attention, bringing the total to 99. Of these, 87 ate lunchboxes from the Gongsuo store and 12 from the Zhongxing store, with symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever.
Yang Shih-hao (楊時豪), chief secretary of the health department, told CNA that of the 99 patients, 53 were treated at Cardinal Tien Hospital, 25 at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, five at Taipei hospitals, and 16 at local clinics. Six are hospitalized, 20 are under observation, and the remainder have returned home to rest.
An inspection of the Zhongxing store on Tuesday revealed improperly stored knives, staff with long fingernails, and refrigeration equipment not operating at the required temperature. The business has been ordered to rectify these issues within a set period.
The health department’s testing division said hospitals perform rapid tests on patients to detect suspected pathogens. Final results, including testing of leftover food, staff samples, and environmental swabs, follow CDC and FDA procedures and can take two to three weeks.
All three branches of Chin Liu Cuisine remain closed and have not applied to reopen. The health department said it will continue monitoring the situation and, if food poisoning is confirmed, will refer the case to prosecutors under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.
