Taiwan Sets Record Compensation in Deadly Food Poisoning Case Linked to Polam Kopitiam

Overview

In a landmark decision, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office ruled on Tuesday that the families of six individuals who died in a deadly food poisoning outbreak in March 2024 will receive a record-breaking NT$10.8 million (US$327,528) in compensation. This marks the highest compensation ever awarded in a food safety case in Taiwan.

Each of the six families will receive NT$1.8 million under Taiwan’s Crime Victim Rights Protection Act, highlighting the severity of the case and the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims.

The poisoning incident, which took place at Polam Kopitiam, a Malaysian restaurant chain in Taipei’s Xinyi District, left 33 people severely ill after consuming flat rice noodles contaminated with bongkrekic acid, a rare and lethal toxin.

Breakdown of the Case

How the Food Poisoning Incident Unfolded

• In March 2024, multiple customers who dined at Polam Kopitiam’s Xinyi branch suffered from severe food poisoning symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in extreme cases, organ failure.
• A total of 33 individuals were affected, with six deaths reported due to complications caused by the toxin bongkrekic acid.
• The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) conducted a preliminary investigation and confirmed the presence of bongkrekic acid in all the victims.
• The source of the contamination, however, remains uncertain despite detailed forensic food analysis.

Legal Consequences for the Restaurant’s Staff

• Taipei prosecutors indicted five individuals linked to the restaurant for:
  • Negligent homicide
  • Negligent injury
  • Violations of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation
• Those charged include:
  • The owner, surnamed Li (黎)
  • The branch manager, surnamed Wang (王)
  • Two chefs, surnamed Chou (周) and Ho (胡)
  • An intern who was also working at the restaurant

Record-Breaking Compensation

• The NT$10.8 million compensation is the largest financial settlement in Taiwan’s food safety history.
• Prosecutors determined that each affected family should receive NT$1.8 million due to the severe impact on the victims and their loved ones.
• The decision is seen as a strong warning to food businesses in Taiwan, emphasizing strict accountability in food safety regulations.

What is Bongkrekic Acid?

• Bongkrekic acid is a highly toxic substance produced by the bacterium Burkholderia gladioli when it contaminates fermented starch-based foods.
• It has been responsible for multiple fatal food poisoning cases worldwide, particularly in poorly prepared rice, noodles, and fermented coconut-based foods.
• Symptoms of bongkrekic acid poisoning include vomiting, muscle weakness, breathing difficulties, and multiple organ failure, often leading to death within 24 hours.
• Due to its high toxicity and resistance to heat, boiling or cooking does not eliminate the toxin, making it extremely dangerous in food.

Government and Public Reaction

• Health officials have urged restaurants and food vendors to follow strict hygiene and food preparation standards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
• The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has announced stricter inspections and random testing of high-risk foods to prevent contamination.
• Public outcry has intensified, with concerns over Taiwan’s food safety laws and the need for harsher penalties for businesses failing to meet safety regulations.
• Many citizens are now more cautious about dining out, with a notable decline in customers at Polam Kopitiam locations across Taiwan.

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