The investigation continues into a food poisoning outbreak at a restaurant in Taipei. So far, 18 victims have been identified. Two have died, and five are in critical condition. Early on Thursday, autopsies were conducted on the two dead victims, in hopes of identifying the toxin to blame.

So far, two people have died from suspected food poisoning after eating at a Polam Kopitiam restaurant in Taipei. Prosecutors and forensic pathologists conducted autopsies on the bodies Thursday morning. Families of the victims are distraught.

Mr. Yang’s daughter
Relative of deceased
We come here today with heavy hearts and immense sorrow, but we trust that law enforcement and the judiciary, as well as all the relevant agencies and experts, will provide my father and our family with closure.

Mr. Lu’s wife
Relative of deceased
The first thing I did after my husband passed away on March 24 was report the matter to authorities. I asked prosecutors to examine the body, so that I could get justice for my husband. I hope all the victims and their families can get the justice they deserve.

As part of an investigation, prosecutors have seized crucial evidence including security camera footage and food supply sales slips. They’ve also taken statements from witnesses and other people related to the case. On Thursday, autopsies were conducted, in hopes of identifying the toxin that caused the illness.

Kao Ta-cheng
Forensic pathologist
After examining the head, we looked at the stomach. We collected blood samples and stomach samples for analysis and culturing. Then we looked at the liver and kidneys, to see whether there were any changes caused by toxic substances.

According to an ETtoday report, diners who had ordered meals from the restaurant on food delivery apps also got sick.

Voice of Wilson
Victim
While I was eating, I felt OK. I didn’t feel anything. But the following day I had an upset stomach, and I was vomiting. I actually ordered two servings by accident. The next morning I opened the one I hadn’t eaten, and it looked completely different from the photo. It was all black and it smelled sour.

The Taipei City government has ordered the restaurant group to close all its businesses. On Thursday, the city’s department of health found that the company failed to register one of its outlets with the government.

Chen Yen-yuan
Taipei Department of Health
During our talks with the restaurant group, we found that one of its businesses wasn’t registered. And during our talks with them, they didn’t mention this restaurant. The outlet in question is called Exotic Vegan Bar, and it was still open on Wednesday evening. The company will be fined NT$3 million in accordance with the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

Not only that, its Xinyi branch’s liability insurance expired in October and had not been renewed.

Lien Tang-kai
Taipei Department of Legal Affairs
In December, Cathay Century Insurance asked the company to pay its insurance premiums, warning that failure to pay would result in cancellation of the insurance policy. According to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, the maximum fine is NT$3 million.

At 5 p.m. on Thursday, the founder of Polam Kopitiam met Taipei’s Department of Legal Affairs at city hall. The business is now under not just a judicial investigation, but a probe from the city government.

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