14 severe cases of suspected food poisoning have been reported so far, including two deaths and five people currently hospitalized in critical condition. In a Legislature interview on Thursday, Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan (薛瑞元) stated that, after discussions with experts, the incident was highly likely caused by Bongkrek acid contamination and testing is currently underway.
Bongkrek acid is a toxin produced by the bacterium Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans occasionally found in fermented coconut or corn. When consumed, symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, urinary retention, abdominal pain, and excessive sweating as the toxin mainly targets the liver, brain, and kidneys.
Hsueh pointed out that based on the patients’ symptoms, experts believe that Bongkrek acid is the most likely culprit, though they are not ruling out the possibility of artificial poisoning. He said that as there have been no previous cases of this toxin in Taiwan, testing materials are being imported and autopsies are being done for confirmation.
In response to public criticism that the Taipei City Health Bureau acted too slowly, Hsueh said that generally when food poisoning cases are reported, an inspection of the suspected site is done as soon as possible. He emphasized that the involvement of liver and kidney symptoms is unusual and not indicative of ordinary food poisoning. However, he said the Health Ministry, Food and Drug Administration, CDC, and local health bureaus are now all participating in the investigation.
The outbreak of suspected food poisoning seems to have originated from a branch of Malaysian restaurant Polam Kopitiam in the Far Eastern Xinyi A13 department store in Taipei City.