1 Dead and Nearly 150 Sickened After Consuming Roasted Eel from Yokohama Department Store
A tragic food poisoning incident in Yokohama, near Tokyo, has left one person dead and nearly 150 others sickened after consuming roasted eel from a popular department store. The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety, particularly in Japan, where grilled eel is a beloved summer delicacy.
The unfortunate event unfolded after customers of Keikyu Department Store, located in Yokohama, reported symptoms of food poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhea. Between July 24 and July 25, the store sold grilled eel dishes prepared by the Tokyo-based restaurant chain Nihonbashi Isesada. As of Monday, 147 individuals have reported illness, with two requiring hospitalization.
In Japan, eating roasted eel, especially during the hottest days of summer, is a longstanding tradition. The eel is believed to provide strength and endurance during the oppressive heat. However, this particular incident has cast a shadow over this cultural practice, highlighting the importance of food safety standards.
Among those affected, a woman in her 90s tragically passed away after developing symptoms consistent with food poisoning. The exact cause of her death is still under investigation by the Yokohama city health center. The other hospitalized individuals are reportedly in stable condition, and the symptoms of the remaining victims were milder.
The common link among all those sickened was the consumption of grilled eel, either sold separately or as part of box lunches with rice. The health center’s investigation detected the presence of staphylococcus aureus (staph), a bacterium known to cause vomiting and diarrhea, in excrement samples from the affected individuals.
In response to the incident, Keikyu Department Store and Nihonbashi Isesada have issued apologies and committed to cooperating fully with health authorities. At a televised news conference, Isesada executive Soichiro Tomita admitted that some of their cooks were not wearing plastic gloves, a possible breach of hygiene standards.
As a precautionary measure, the health center has temporarily suspended operations at the Isesada shop within the grocery section of the department store, as well as its restaurant on another floor, while they conduct a thorough examination of the cause.
Hospital where customers who ate eels were treated
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the critical importance of maintaining strict food safety protocols. While the tradition of eating roasted eel remains a cherished part of Japanese culture, ensuring that such practices are carried out with the highest standards of hygiene is essential to prevent such tragedies in the future. As investigations continue, the hope is that lessons will be learned, and measures will be put in place to avoid similar incidents moving forward.
