The Department of Health has determined the Hepatitis A outbreak on Oahu is likely due to imported frozen scallops served raw at Genki Sushi Restaurants on Oahu and Kauai.
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As a result, HDOH ordered this product embargoed (not to be sold, purchased, or consumed) throughout the state, and the temporary closure of all Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai.
The restaurants must dispose of their food supply and disposable items like cups and napkins and disinfect the facilities before they reopen, Oshiro said.
There are two Genki Sushi locations on Maui, though the Maui Mall location has been closed since July while undergoing renovations. It is not known where the frozen scallops were obtained, other than the news that they were imported onto the islands.
The scallops in question haven’t been connected to any other restaurants, Hilts said.
“The Health Department has been working hard to get that situation under control”, Quemado said.
The manager of the company’s Pearlridge location also told the station that the restaurant lost about $12,000 worth of food, including 60 pounds of fish delivered Monday, as well as paper goods that had to be thrown away.
The restaurant will not be serving any scallop dishes, Quemado said. The box in which they were packed said they are from Philippines.
“We are assuring them that Oahu and Kauai are dealing with this, while the rest of us are still safe”, Quemado said.
Health officials found that the outbreak was likely linked to frozen scallops served raw at a chain of sushi restaurants, Genki Sushi. Its symptoms, which can appear weeks after exposure, include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain and jaundice – a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Several restaurants on Oahu have reported that they have at least one employee who has tested positive for Hepatitis A, which can be transmitted via foods, beverages and direct personal contact. “Genki Sushi cares about the public and our customers health and safety”.
Park said the department is concerned the scallops may have been served or distributed to places other than Genki Sushi because a small number of patients say they didn’t eat at the chain.
“All dangers associated with the contaminated scallops were reasonably foreseeable and/or scientifically discoverable by the defendants at the time the defendants placed the scallops into the stream of commerce”, the lawsuit says.
Findings of the investigation suggest that the source of the outbreak is focused on Oahu. He says the company hasn’t tried to hide any information and showed authorities invoices and distribution records.
Virginia Pressler in a release said Genki Sushi “has complied with all orders” in the case.
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“We continue to work with the Department of Health to ensure we’re in compliance so we can reopen our restaurants as soon as possible”, she said.
