Taipei buffet food poisoning cluster grows to 53 diners

Taipei buffet food poisoning cluster grows to 53 diners

2025-01-09

The number of people linked to a suspected food poisoning cluster in Taipei keeps growing. As of 4pm on Thursday, 53 people have sought medical attention after eating at the INPARADISE buffet branch in Xinyi District. An investigation is underway, but already the restaurant has been fined NT$3 million for remaining open despite receiving an order to suspend operations. Let’s hear from the city mayor.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor
As soon as the reports came in, a team was dispatched to carry out an investigation. They found that there were several regulatory breaches, and the restaurant was ordered to close. But they remained open. As such they will be fined NT$3 million in accordance with the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. They will only be allowed to resume operations if they meet sanitation standards. We have already rejected one application to reopen.

Health authorities have also conducted investigations at other restaurants owned by Feastogether Corporation. Hygiene deficiencies were discovered at Eatogether buffet at Q-Square, as well as Sunrise buffet in Xinyi. The city has ordered the outlets to address the issues by Friday.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

"饗饗"信義店陷食安風暴截至9日下午53人就醫

2025-01-09

饗饗信義店，疑食物中毒案件持續擴大，截至週四下午4點，已累計53人身體不適就醫。由於饗饗不甩停業令，遭北市衛生局開罰300萬元罰鍰。

[[台北市長蔣萬安]]
“在第一時間接獲通報之後，就立刻到現場去稽查，而且發現有相關的違法，就立刻要求勒令停業，後來發現它仍然營業，我們就依照食安法重罰300萬。我們一定是要符合相關的規定，才會同意它復業，但目前我們已經駁回它申請復業的申請。”

衛生局擴大稽查賓集團旗下其他吃到飽品牌，饗食天堂京站店、信義店，旭集信義店，紛紛被查獲衛生有缺失，北市衛生局要求要在1/11前做出改善。

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CES 2025 in Las Vegas kicked off this Wednesday. At the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI showcased 10 innovations in wellness and smart medical technologies. From mobility aids to sports training, and even cell therapy, ITRI’s top technologies got big thumbs-up from global peers.

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Howard Shu
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The AI Badminton Trainer by ITRI utilizes cutting-edge 3D-IC technologies. A high-speed camera captures the player’s stroke technique and position and sends the data onto the cloud. Then, with generational AI, it aids professional training. Another highlight from ITRI are these devices.

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The world’s largest consumer electronics show, known as CES, kicked off on Wednesday. This year, ITRI is showcasing ten innovations centered on wellness and smart medical technologies. Another breakthrough was iKNOBeads developed with Reliance Medical Technology Corporation from Singapore. It’s a bionic magnetic bead-based platform for manufacturing various immune cells.

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With more than 4,000 developers from 150 countries worldwide participating in CES, ITRI truly brought Taiwan’s very best technologies to the global stage.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Kenting tourist numbers hit 41-year-low in 2024

Tourist numbers at the seaside resort town of Kenting have plummeted in recent years. The figure hit a 41-year low in 2024, as the town recorded just 2.14 million visitors, a decline of 480,000 from the previous year. The sharp decline has dealt a crippling blow to the local tourism industry. Already, three resorts have announced they’ll be shutting down in the first half of the year. Though some have said they are closing for renovations, other business owners in the area see a dark future ahead.

It’s a lovely day in Kenting, but the streets are deserted. Once a popular tourist destination, visitor numbers have been steadily dropping to a low of 2.14 million visitors in 2024, a 41-year low.

Ms. Lee
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Our business keeps falling and falling. That’s also true for the hostels. Take a look for yourself. You can take a picture there and there. Are there any guests?

On weekdays, workers outnumber tourists in Kenting. And on weekends and holidays, it’s not busy enough to sustain a business. Three resorts: Hotelday+, Uni-Resort and Toong Mao have announced they will be shutting down in the first half of the year.

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The company may reallocate workers to other locations, if we are willing to move. If not, then we’ll get laid off with severance pay.

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The setting sun is reflected in the lake water, creating a heartwarming scene. Photography is the big love of Taoyuan City councilor Lee Po-fang. When he’s out and about visiting voters in the city, he often takes a moment to capture the scenery on camera.

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If there’s a blue sky and white clouds and it’s reflected in the water, then it’s stunningly beautiful, and bursting with color.

Lee has been serving the city for over two decades. Ten years ago, he began his photography hobby, and since that time he’s amassed over 80,000 snaps. He’s even published a book, introducing readers to the charms of Daxi and Fuxing Districts.

Lee Po-fang
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We don’t have to go and seek out a grand view or a spectacular vista. Such views may crop up, but you can’t force them. But if I can observe the beauty in something through a tiny detail, actually, I can gradually change my habits. In other words, if I start with looking at the little things first and then the bigger picture, then even more wonderful surprises are in store.

Lee teaches students through practice – his expertise is not a guarded secret. He says you don’t need a premium SLR camera: any smartphone is good enough to capture a lovely view. He loves to teach other hobbyists precious little tips that can elevate the beauty of their images.

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After getting a lesson from the councilor, you take another photo and think, “Oh wow! The quality of the image is really better!” You don’t need an amazing phone.

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The peak of the Spring Festival flu season is almost upon us, with an expected 150,000 weekly visits to medical centers. Lawmaker Wang Cheng-hsu on Thursday gathered the health minister and medical sector representatives for a press conference on the infection risks during the holiday.

Wang Cheng-hsu
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