Xindian: Three outlets of Chin Liu Cuisine, a bento or boxed meal vendor in Xindian District, New Taipei, have been ordered to close on suspicion of food poisoning after at least 44 customers fell ill, the city's Department of Health said Tuesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, as of 2 p.m., the number of those who ate a boxed meal provided by the vendor during the Tomb Sweeping Festival holiday rose to 44 from 17 a day earlier. The health authorities reported that those affected experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever after consuming meals from Chin Liu Cuisine outlets near the Xindian District Office or on Zhongxin Road, either on Saturday or Sunday.
The common dishes identified in the affected boxed meals included rice, cabbage, and fried eggs or corned eggs. As a precautionary measure, the two outlets have been temporarily closed, along with a third location on Minquan Road, which has also been suspended.
Out of the 44 individuals who fell ill, five are hospitalized, seven are under observation, and the remaining 32 have been discharged. Yang Shih-hao, the chief secretary of the health department, stated that a team has been dispatched to collect food samples and specimens from the two stores linked to the suspected outbreak. Results from the samples are expected in two to three weeks. Should food poisoning be confirmed, the bento vendor will be referred to prosecutors for further investigation under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.
Inspections conducted on Monday and Tuesday revealed issues such as improperly stored waste and staff lacking legally required health check-ups at the district office outlet. Additionally, the Zhongxin store had improperly stored knives and insufficient refrigeration temperature. Workers at the Zhongxin store were also found to have long fingernails, which is against health regulations. The vendor has been instructed to rectify these issues within a specified period.