Taipei: The New Taipei City government has committed to assisting victims in pursuing compensation after a suspected food poisoning incident affected 99 individuals. The incident is linked to a lunch box chain, Chin Liu Cuisine, with operations in Xindian District. Mayor Hou Yu-ih announced that operations at all three of its branches have been suspended, as food samples undergo inspection.

According to Focus Taiwan, the New Taipei Department of Health reported an additional 55 cases by Wednesday morning, raising the total number of affected individuals to 99. The majority of those impacted had consumed meals from a branch near the Xindian District Office, while others were linked to the Zhongxing Road branch. Symptoms reported include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever.

Health department chief secretary Yang Shih-hao stated that of the 99 individuals seeking medical care, 53 were treated at Cardinal Tien Hospital, 25 at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, and the remainder at various other medical facilities. Six patients required hospitalization, with 20 still under observation.

The situation escalated from earlier reports during the Tomb Sweeping Festival holiday, prompting the suspension of all three outlets as a precaution. Initial inspections revealed several hygiene violations, including improper waste storage and inadequate refrigeration. Laboratory tests on food samples are currently in progress, with results anticipated in two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Kaohsiung, an outbreak linked to spring rolls from a market stall has affected 173 individuals. The Kaohsiung City government identified salmonella group D as the pathogen and has fined the stall operator NT$1.44 million. The case has been forwarded for possible criminal investigation.