Taitung Prosecutors Find No Criminal Intent in Fatal Food Poisoning Case
In a tragic food poisoning incident in Taitung County, four people, including an 83-year-old woman, lost their lives after consuming contaminated millet dumplings. However, Taitung District Prosecutors have ruled out any foul play, stating that the poisoning was accidental and due to tainted millet, not intentional misconduct.
Details of the Incident: A Family Tragedy
The food poisoning tragedy occurred on September 17, when an elderly woman, surnamed Tseng (曾), died after eating glutinous millet dumplings she had prepared. The millet used in the dumplings had been stored for two years, and it was later discovered to be contaminated with terbufos, a hazardous chemical often used in pesticides.
Later that evening, relatives and friends who visited to mourn Tseng’s death ate the leftover dumplings and soon experienced symptoms such as vomiting and convulsions. Sadly, three more people died, and nearly a dozen others were hospitalized for treatment.
Prosecutors’ Findings: Tainted Millet and Accidental Poisoning
During a press conference on Friday, Chief Prosecutor Chen Yen-chiu (陳妍萩) provided details on the investigation’s findings. According to Chen, the millet had been provided to Tseng by a relative two years earlier for planting purposes. However, Tseng did not plant the millet and kept it in a plastic jar along with other untainted millet.
Due to her age and poor eyesight, it is believed that Tseng unknowingly used the contaminated millet when preparing the dumplings. Additionally, since the terbufos may have lost its pungency over the two years, she likely did not detect any unusual odor or signs of contamination.
No Evidence of Foul Play or Negligence
Prosecutors have concluded that there was no foul play involved in the incident. The leftover dumplings from Tseng’s kitchen were not intentionally distributed, as the other victims found and ate them of their own accord. Furthermore, the relative who gave Tseng the tainted millet did so under the assumption that it would be used for planting, not for consumption.
Chen emphasized that there was no direct link between the act of providing the millet and Tseng’s death, and the case was closed without any charges being filed. The prosecutors found no evidence of intentional or negligent criminal conduct related to the tragedy.
The Role of Terbufos in Agricultural Practices
The use of terbufos in agriculture, particularly among farmers in Taitung and other rural areas, was also discussed. Aliman, an Indigenous Bunun tribe member and founder of the Luanshan Forest Culture Museum in Taitung, explained that some farmers mix terbufos with grains such as millet and corn to protect the crops from pests and birds. The practice, though common, can be dangerous if the grain is not properly handled or is consumed instead of planted.
Table: Key Findings in Taitung Food Poisoning Case
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | September 17 |
| Cause of Death | Consumption of tainted millet dumplings containing terbufos |
| Number of Deaths | Four, including Tseng (83), three others later died |
| Investigative Findings | Millet was given for planting, not consumption; no foul play found |
| Outcome | Case closed with no charges filed |
FAQ:
Q1: What caused the food poisoning in Taitung?
A: The poisoning was caused by the consumption of glutinous millet dumplings made from millet contaminated with terbufos, a chemical pesticide.
Q2: Why did the millet contain terbufos?
A: The millet had been provided to Tseng two years earlier for planting purposes, and the chemical was likely mixed with the grain by the supplier to prevent pests.
Q3: Was there any foul play involved in this case?
A: No, the investigation found no evidence of foul play. The millet was mistakenly used in cooking instead of being planted, and the tragedy was deemed accidental.
Q4: What is terbufos, and how is it used in agriculture?
A: Terbufos is a pesticide commonly used by farmers to protect crops from pests and birds. It is often mixed with grains like millet and corn but is dangerous if consumed.
Q5: What happened to the other people who ate the dumplings?
A: Three people died after consuming the dumplings, while several others were hospitalized. Fortunately, many of the hospitalized individuals are in stable condition.
