TAIPEI (TVBS News)—Taipei's Department of Health (北市衛生局) reported on Wednesday (Jan. 8) a suspected food poisoning incident at the INPARADISE Breeze Xin Yi (饗饗微風信義店) restaurant, owned by the Feastogether Group (饗賓集團). Hospitals have identified 32 affected individuals, and there are concerns the number may rise. Patrons who dined there on Jan. 5 and 6 experienced symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Lin Kuan-chen (林冠蓁), head of the department's Food and Pharmaceutical Management Division, stated that despite improvements in hygiene, the health department rejected the restaurant's reopening application due to the potential increase in affected individuals. Lin also revealed that inspections were conducted at five other Feastogether Group buffet outlets, focusing on registration, product liability insurance, and good hygiene practices.
The inspections found that A Joy (饗 A Joy) and Sunrise Tianmu (旭集和食集錦天母店) met the standards. At the same time, Sunrise Xinyi (旭集和食集錦信義店) and EATOGETHER Q square (饗食天堂京站店) had hygiene deficiencies, requiring corrective measures by a set deadline. Failure to comply could result in fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million.
Lin mentioned that the department ordered INPARADISE Xin Yi to cease operations on Tuesday afternoon, but the restaurant continued to operate on Thursday evening. Consequently, the health department plans to impose an NT$3 million fine. If tests or epidemiological studies confirm food poisoning, fines between NT$60,000 and NT$200 million will be enforced. Results are expected in one to two weeks.