Yilan: Suspected food poisoning at a hot pot restaurant in Yilan has led to 63 individuals falling ill, with 33 of them seeking medical attention, according to the Yilan County Public Health Bureau on Saturday.
According to Focus Taiwan, samples from the restaurant have been collected and sent to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for testing. In addition, feces samples from 10 restaurant employees and five customers who fell ill are also being tested by the CDC.
The public health bureau was first alerted to the situation on Wednesday after at least 15 customers reported experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. It was noted that the majority of these customers dined at the restaurant on March 15-16.
In response to the outbreak, the bureau ordered the restaurant to suspend operations on Wednesday to conduct thorough inspections. During these inspections, two "hygienic faults" were discovered, prompting the bureau to mandate improvements within a specified timeframe.
The restaurant has since submitted its proof of improvement report and has applied to resume operations. However, before reopening, further health and safety checks are scheduled to ensure compliance with regulations. Additionally, restaurant workers will be required to attend four hours of health and safety lectures and pass an exam to ensure the safety of future patrons.