TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The food poisoning case involving the Malaysian restaurant Polam Kopitiam continues to escalate. Taipei Department of Health Commissioner Chen Yen-yuan said Thursday (March 28) that all restaurant branches have been ordered to cease operations immediately. However, it was discovered that the company had deliberately failed to register one of its establishments in Taipei. The case is now being handled under the Food Safety Act, with a maximum fine of NT$ 3 million.
The unregistered establishment, "EVB," a Malaysian-style vegetarian pub, was still operating until the previous day. Chen stated that not only was the establishment unregistered, but the parent company also failed to disclose its existence. Given the severity of the food safety incident, the penalty will be strictly enforced.
Many online reviews of Polam Kopitiam criticize its poor hygiene. The Health Department stated that during an inspection on March 24, they found the sanitary conditions to be substandard and ordered the restaurant to make improvements. Following additional reported cases, a second inspection was conducted on March 25, leading to the imposition of stricter improvement requirements.
The Health Department advises anyone who dined at Polam Kopitiam between March 17 and 24 to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal discomfort. Medical institutions have been asked to report any cases of liver failure or septic shock in patients who have visited since March 17 and whose cause of illness is unknown.
The case has been officially classified as food poisoning, as more than two people have exhibited symptoms after consuming the same food. The investigation will include dietary surveys, common food items, and symptoms, with all information being compiled for upstream tracking.