The food poisoning crisis in Taiwan has tragically deepened, with the death toll climbing to four. This comes after individuals reportedly dined at a vegetarian restaurant in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. Local media sources confirmed the latest fatality on April 29th, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Polam Kopitiam food poisoning incident.
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Victor Wang officially announced the fourth death linked to the outbreak on April 29th, according to Taiwanese news outlets. The most recent victim was a 40-year-old woman, whose passing represents the second death within a mere three-day span, highlighting the severity of this public health emergency. Prior to this, another individual succumbed to multiple organ failure on April 27th, underscoring the aggressive and life-threatening nature of the foodborne illness.
Reports indicate that the 40-year-old woman fell ill after consuming char kway teow at the Polam Kopitiam restaurant in mid-March. Shortly after returning home, she began experiencing a range of severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, classic indicators of food poisoning. Mr. Wang detailed her critical condition, noting that she had been under intensive care for over a month battling organ failure and persistent infections. Ultimately, she succumbed to multiple organ failure in the early hours of April 29th at 3 am.
China Press has reported a concerning figure of 35 individuals who have reported falling ill after eating at the implicated restaurant. This number includes the four fatalities, painting a grim picture of the outbreak’s scale. Adding to the urgency, Mr. Wang revealed that two more individuals are in critical condition – one awaiting a liver transplant and another hospitalized in severe condition.
Earlier in March, the incident had already claimed the lives of two men who had dined at the same establishment and consumed char kway teow, further solidifying the link between the restaurant and the food poisoning outbreak. Investigations took a crucial turn when a lethal toxin was identified as the likely culprit.
The toxin, identified as bongkrekic acid, a potent and often fatal substance, was detected in the stool samples of the chef working at the Xinyi outlet of Polam Kopitiam. Mr. Wang shared this crucial finding in a Facebook post on April 6th, stating that the toxin was found in fecal samples collected on March 27th. Alarmingly, earlier samples taken from the chef’s hands on March 24th also tested positive for bongkrekic acid. This toxin is known for its extreme potency, with even a minute dose as small as 1mg capable of causing death in humans. Local media reports confirm that the same dangerous toxin was found in the majority of the affected diners who fell ill.
In response to the escalating crisis, authorities mandated the closure of all Polam Kopitiam outlets to facilitate thorough investigations and prevent further cases. However, Mr. Wang emphasized that preliminary findings suggest the outbreak is currently confined to the Xinyi branch of the restaurant, offering a glimmer of containment amidst the wider concern.
While Polam Kopitiam had passed a food safety inspection in 2022, subsequent investigations following the outbreak revealed concerning hygiene lapses at the Xinyi outlet. Taipei health inspectors discovered cockroach droppings within the premises, improper storage of knives placed directly on the counter next to the sink, and a failure to maintain employee health records, as reported by local news sources. These findings raise serious questions about the restaurant’s adherence to food safety standards and contribute to the ongoing investigation into the root cause of this devastating food poisoning incident in Taiwan.
The situation remains under close scrutiny as health officials work to contain the outbreak, identify the precise source of contamination, and prevent any further tragedies related to food poisoning in Taiwan.
