Taichung restaurant temporarily closed over suspected food poisoning

Taichung, Feb. 5 (CNA) The Taichung City government on Thursday said it has ordered a Japanese restaurant in Taichung's West District to suspend operations after several people developed symptoms including diarrhea and fever due to suspected food poisoning.

In a statement, the office said seven people dined at the restaurant, three of whom later reported discomfort. Inspectors visited the site on Tuesday after receiving a public report and collected food and environmental samples for testing, with results expected in about two weeks.

The case came to light from a netizen who posted on social media about seeking medical treatment after eating at a sukiyaki restaurant in the district at about 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The office said inspectors also found several violations, including personal items not properly stored, a lack of pest control and sanitation records, incomplete information on food waste contractors, and improper management of food additives.

The restaurant has been ordered to make improvements by a set deadline, and operations have been suspended effective Thursday to prevent further food safety risks, it added.

According to the office, if pathogenic bacteria are detected, the operator could face fines ranging from NT$60,000 (US$1,893) to NT$200 million under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, and if the same pathogen is found in both human and food samples, the case will be referred to judicial authorities for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the restaurant posted a notice on Facebook apologizing to customers who became ill after dining, undertaking to cover all medical expenses and other losses, as well as cooperate fully with the authorities' investigation.