11 Test Positive for Salmonella in Qingliu Canteen Bento Suspected Poisoning Case; Vendor Transferred to Taipei Prosecutors Office

The New Taipei City Government Health Bureau stated this evening that due to the difficulty in collecting samples and the time required for culture, as patients began hospitalization on the 7th, there were no hospital reports on test results yet. However, a text message was later issued this evening, indicating that as of 6 PM today (8th), preliminary human test results from hospitals showed 11 patients with a positive reaction for 'Salmonella.' The case will subsequently be transferred to the investigative authorities for prosecution under the 'Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act.'

In response, Disease Control Section Chief Wang Mei-hua explained in a phone interview this evening that the test results for these 11 patients came from reports from Xindian Cardinal Tien Hospital and Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, all of whom were hospitalized or under observation. This case is a cluster infection, and preliminary test reports were obtained after urging and tracking hospitals. Follow-up care will be provided for the health status of other cases.

Regarding the Health Bureau's statement yesterday that it would wait two weeks for environmental and human test reports and confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control before transferring the case to investigative authorities, it announced this evening that it would transfer the case to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for investigation. In response, Food and Drug Management Section Chief Yang Shu-chin explained in a phone interview with CNA this evening that since 11 people tested positive for the same pathogen, the case was transferred for investigation first, and other sample reports will be supplemented later as evidence.

Yang said that unhospitalized patients can also collect samples themselves for hospital testing. Current evidence suggests that the pathogens all came from eating bento from the same vendor. The specific food causing the illness still needs to be compared with leftover food sample reports. When the vendor applies to resume operations, food safety management will be more strictly required, and approval will only be granted after compliance.

The City Government Consumer Protection Office stated earlier today to reporters that no compensation claims had been received from patients. The bento vendor has product liability insurance and should be able to cover medical expenses, but the suspended vendor could not be contacted. This evening, the Consumer Protection Officer also issued a text message stating that tomorrow (9th) and next week, the vendor and insurance company will be convened to clarify compensation-related details, and the Legal Affairs Bureau will provide assistance to consumers. (Edited by Lung Po-an) 1150408