China News Service, Taipei, March 28 (Reporter Yang Chengchen) The recent food poisoning incidents in Taipei City continue to spread. As of press time on the 28th, there have been 12 cases, the number of deaths has increased to 2, and 4 people are still in the intensive care unit. rescue.
This incident heated up in the public opinion field on the evening of the 26th. Starting from March 19, many people became ill after eating rice-based food at the "Baolin Tea House" restaurant in Xinyi District, Taipei. A 40-year-old diner died on the 24th. died, and a 66-year-old death case was added on the 27th. The deceased was a diner who went to the "Baolin Tea Room" on the 19th. He still died after 7 days of emergency treatment in the hospital.
Taiwan authorities and prosecutors will conduct autopsies on the two deceased people on the 28th to clarify the cause of death. Four people, including the person in charge of the restaurant, have been brought back for investigation. Since the suspected poisoners all reported eating rice noodles, rice noodles and other foods, the New Taipei City Health Bureau inspected the ingredient suppliers of "Paulin Tea House" on the 27th, and the Taipei City Government also ordered all branches of Paulin to close. The health and welfare department of the Taiwan authorities characterized the incident as a "major food poisoning incident" on the 27th, and the inspection report will be released within two weeks at the earliest.
The picture shows the "Baolin Tea Room" taken on March 27. The restaurant has been ordered to suspend operations. Photo by China News Service reporter Yang Chengchen
It is still unclear why the diners were poisoned. Taiwan's "Ministry of Health and Welfare" held an inter-departmental expert meeting on the 27th and believed that the cause of poisoning "may be the food itself", but other factors were not ruled out; some experts said that it was most likely Bongkrekic Acid, which was speculated by the outside world. Caused by toxins, it is not ruled out that it is caused by Bacillus Cereus (also known as Bacillus Cereus).
Public opinion in Taiwan expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities' delayed response to the incident. An article in the "News Eye" column of the "United Daily News" on the 28th stated that the 66-year-old deceased was sent to the emergency room on the 21st, and other suspected poisoners also sought medical treatment around that time. However, Taiwan's "Ministry of Health and Welfare" did not say that it was necessary to do so until the 26th. In a "joint investigation" with Taipei City, the prosecutors only integrated multiple district prosecutors' offices to investigate on the 27th. Relevant departments of the Taiwan authorities with huge resources should provide timely support to county and city governments. There is room for review of this cross-county and city notification and cross-department investigation mechanism.
A commentary article on the China Times News Network also stated that if the Taiwan authorities could do the necessary checks, many tragedies could have been avoided.
The "Baolin Tea Room" restaurant is located in the Far Eastern Department Store, a crowded area in Xinyi District. There have been many negative reviews about the restaurant on local food websites. Complaints include foreign objects suspected of being hair in the food and odor in the tableware. Waiters at several surrounding restaurants told China News Service reporters on the 27th that it was not clear why the diners became unwell. Most of the information currently available comes from public news reports, but the store owners are also worried that their recent business will be affected by this incident. (over)