Category Archives: Burkholderia gladioli

Taiwan – One more dead in Taipei food poisoning outbreak

Posted on April 29, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Focus Taiwan

Taipei, April 27 (CNA) One more patient died in the recent food poisoning outbreak at the Xinyi branch of Malaysian restaurant chain Polam Kopitiam in Taipei, bringing the total number of deaths to three, Deputy Health Minister Victor Wang (王必勝) said on Saturday.

As of Friday, 35 people were reported to have fallen ill after dining at the Xinyi restaurant from March 18-24, including two deaths reported in late March.

The latest death was one of the four severe cases under intensive care. The patient died of multiple organ failure despite having received treatment that utilized the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) life-support system, Wang said.

Taipei Medical University Hospital said in a text message that the patient was transferred to the hospital on March 24, and died Saturday despite being given full treatment.

According to Wang, it was clear that this incident was a case of Bongkrekic acid-led poisoning that occurred within a specific time and space.

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Posted in Bongkrek acid, Burkholderia gladioli, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Poisoning

Taiwan – Lethal toxin found in stool of chef from Taiwan restaurant in food poisoning case

Posted on April 8, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Must Share News

A lethal toxin, found in blood samples of Taiwan restaurant customers suffering from food poisoning, has also been found in stool samples of a chef from the establishment.

The toxin is suspected to be responsible for the deaths of two customers after eating char kway teow from Polam Kopitiam.

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Posted in bacterial contamination, Bacterial Toxin, Bongkrek acid, Burkholderia gladioli, Death, food contamination, food death, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness Death, microbial contamination

Taiwan – Bongkrekic acid found in restaurant hit by food poisoning outbreak (update)

Posted on April 3, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Focus Taiwan

Taipei, April 2 (CNA) A toxin believed to be the key to a lethal food poisoning outbreak in a Taipei restaurant has been detected in one of the environmental samples taken from the restaurant’s kitchen, confirming the presence of Bongkrecik acid in the restaurant, according to officials and experts on Tuesday.

At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the toxin, Bongkrekic acid, was found on samples collected from a chopping board, two knives, and one of the chef’s hands in the Xinyi branch of Malaysian restaurant chain Polam Kopitiam on March 24.

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, Bongkrek acid, Burkholderia, Burkholderia gladioli, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak

Taiwan – Three staff members at food poisoning restaurant banned from leaving Taiwan

Posted on April 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Focus Taiwan

The legal representative of Polam Kopitiam as well as a branch manager and a chef were banned from leaving the country by prosecutors Thursday for their “suspected involvement” in what is believed to be a food poisoning outbreak.

The case has left two dead and 17 seeking medical treatment as of Thursday, according to health authorities.

All of the people who fell sick dined at the restaurant’s branch in Xinyi District between March 19-23 and consumed dishes made of rice noodles.

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Posted in Bongkrek acid, Burkholderia, Burkholderia gladioli, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death

Taiwan – Rare toxin suspected in 14 severe cases of food poisoning – Bongkrek acid is a toxin produced by the bacterium Burkholderia gladioli

Posted on March 28, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Radio Taiwan International

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.

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Posted in Bongkrek acid, Burkholderia gladioli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk