Taipei restaurant suspends operations over suspected food poisoning

Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) The Taipei Department of Health said Friday it had ordered a restaurant in Taipei's Nangang District to suspend operations after seven people recently suffered suspected food poisoning.

The seven people who sought medical attention this week all dined at the Bei Yun Chinese Restaurant in Nangang on Jan. 28, the department said in a news release.

Health officials arrived at the establishment on Friday and identified a number of issues, including greasy kitchen floors and cutting boards on the floor, it said.

The department said it had therefore ordered the restaurant to suspend operations immediately and work to fulfill certain requirements before Feb. 3.

It added that staff must complete a four-hour training session on hygiene before the restaurant can apply to resume operations.

If sufficient improvement is not made by the deadline, a fine between NT$60,000 (US$1,821) and NT$200 million will be imposed, the department said.

It added that if the incident is found to be linked to food poisoning, the operator could also be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$200 million.