Food Safety Concerns at Ramen Chain: Taichung City Conducts Inspections

(Central News Agency, Taichung, 22nd) The Taichung City Food and Drug Safety Office has launched an investigation into a suspected food poisoning case at the Menya Itto ramen shop in the Taichung Port Mitsui Outlet. The chain's Qinmei branch also recently faced complaints, where inspectors found issues such as improperly covered ingredients, leading to an order for improvement.

A customer posted on social media that after dining at the Taichung Port Mitsui branch on the evening of the 21st, both she and her husband suffered from severe diarrhea. The business responded to the post, stating they are conducting an internal investigation and are contacting the customers to check on their health.

The Taichung City Food and Drug Safety Office stated today that they received reports from two individuals regarding gastrointestinal discomfort after dining at the Wuchi District chain store on the evening of May 21. They have recorded the case and will conduct on-site inspections and sampling.

The Safety Office noted that during an inspection of the chain's Qinmei branch on May 13, they found violations such as ingredients in the walk-in refrigerator not being properly covered or stored separately. They have ordered improvements within a set timeframe, and relevant samples are currently being tested.

The Safety Office stated that if pathogens are detected, they will impose fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million in accordance with the "Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation." If the same pathogen is found in both the human samples and the food remnants, the case will be referred for judicial investigation under Article 49 of the same Act.

"Menya Itto" also faced a food safety incident this March at its Taoyuan Gloria Outlets branch. The Taoyuan City Health Bureau conducted an inspection and found violations such as storing ingredients directly on the floor, ordering the store to make improvements.