The Taipei District Court has sentenced four people connected to a restaurant
chain the sold Malaysian food to prison terms for negligent homicide in a
2024 food poisoning outbreak.

Six people died after the mass food poisoning outbreak at the restaurant's
Far Eastern Department Store Xinyi A13 branch in March of 2024.

Restaurant owner Li Fang-hsuan was sentenced to one year and 10 months in
prison, while acting chef Hu Ching-fu, a Vietnamese national, received eight
months.

Head chef Chou Ri-hao received a six-month sentence, while a Vietnamese
intern was sentenced to four months.

Both of those sentences may be commuted to fines calculated at 1,000 N-T per
day.

The court acquitted Xinyi branch manager Wang Shun-te, finding insufficient
evidence that he had authority over or knowledge of the kitchen's food
storage and handling practices.

It also dismissed the negligent injury charge against him because the legal
deadline for filing a complaint had passed.

Thirty-three diners tested positive for bong-krekic acid after eating flat
rice noodle dishes at the restaurant.

Six died of multiple organ failure, while 27 others were injured.

Family members of the victims are voicing outrage over the light sentences
handed down by the court.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office says it will decide whether to appeal
after reviewing the written judgment.