Virginia Pressler said in a statement, “after determining the strong probable link between the majority of cases, the department immediately notified Genki Sushi Restaurants, ordered the embargo of the frozen scallop product, and the closure of all Oahu and Kauai facilities”.
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Genki Sushi will be allowed to reopen the restaurants after they’re disinfected.
There are two Genki Sushi locations on Maui, though the Maui Mall location has been closed since July while undergoing renovations. He said the scallops were discarded at the direction of their corporate office.
The restaurant will not be serving any scallop dishes, Quemado said.
A report published in Hawaii News Now informed, “Hawaii authorities are urging diners to be aware of the risks of eating raw and undercooked food after they traced a hepatitis A outbreak to frozen scallops served raw at a sushi restaurant chain”. Symptoms include fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea and yellow skin and eyes.
The product of concern is Sea Port Bay Scallops (Wild Harvest, Raw Frozen) that originated in the Philippines (states “Product of the Philippines” on the box), distributed by Koha Oriental Foods and True World Foods. An embargo restricts the use, sale or distribution of the product. The Hawaii Department of Health has ordered that frozen scallop products not be served at the sushi restaurants as well as other markets that received the scallops.
Health officials said they are providing the information to the public as a precaution in an attempt to prevent any new cases. “We will continue to work with Genki Sushi restaurants to ensure their safe operation after the investigation is completed”.
The company immediately complied with the department’s order, said Mary Hansen, Genki Sushi USA chief administrative officer.
Genki Sushi is known for having patrons select their sushi items by taking them off a conveyor belt that moves around tables and counters.
Genki Sushi restaurants in Oahu and Kauai were shut down after the Hawaii State Department of Health determined that scallops served at the restaurants were the “likely source” of a hepatitis A outbreak.
Individuals who ate at these restaurants longer than two weeks ago should monitor their health for 50 days after their exposure and consult their doctor if they develop symptoms of hepatitis, DOH said.
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. She said Health Department officials didn’t get a response like that for any other restaurant, food chain or grocery store.
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Epidemiologist Sarah Park says the state’s work to contain the hepatitis A outbreak will continue for some time even after the likely source of the virus has been identified.
