Over 130 people have been hospitalized in Kaohsiung in a suspected food poisoning case. On Monday the Kaohsiung City Health Department accused the vendor-in-question of attempting to evade the investigation, resulting in a steep fine and transferral to the district prosecutor's office for questioning.

The department stated that, as of Monday morning, April 6, it had received reports that over 134 individuals became sick after eating food produced by the vendor. Of those, 96 received treatment and returned home, 2 are receiving outpatient treatment, 7 are under observation in hospital, and 19 are hospitalized for ongoing treatment.

The source of the illness is believed to be a spring roll vendor currently under investigation in Kaohsiung's Zhengyi Market. Officials ordered the vendor on Sunday to suspend operations and sales after a preliminary investigation found the food posed a threat to public health.

However, the vendor failed to immediately cooperate with this order as per the Health Ministry. In an inspection Sunday the vendor provided only partially-truthful information about the spring roll ingredients, neglecting to mention that they also contained eggs and shredded meat. 

The department said that the vendor's deliberate concealment, refusal, and avoidance to disclose the meat and eggs compromised the integrity of the investigation. The vendor will be charged a NT$360,000 (over US$11,200) fine in accordance with the Food Safety and Sanitation Act. Officials transferred the case to the District Prosecutor's Office for further investigation due to the blatant health risks and high number of affected individuals.