“Genki Sushi in Hawai’i has a history of good compliance with food safety regulations, which includes good employee hygiene”, said Peter Oshiro, sanitation branch chief.
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The state health department said Wednesday the scallops were distributed by Koha Oriental Foods on the islands of Oahu and Kauai, and were packaged by Sea Port Bay Scallops.
The Genki Sushi restaurant in Lahaina discarded about 21 pounds of raw scallops Monday night after discovering the seafood was likely linked to the recent hepatitis A outbreak at the chain’s Oahu locations, state Department of Health officials said Tuesday.
In addition, among the new cases was another infected food service worker, an employee of Hokkaido Ramen Santouka restaurant at 801 Kaheka St.
All cases have been adults with 46 requiring hospitalization. This week at least 168 people were stricken with Hepatits A and dozens were hospitalized after eating at a chain of sushi restaurants.
Because Genki Sushi Restaurants on O’ahu and Kaua’i had received, handled and served the product, the establishments were ordered to close immediately. “Our work to control further spread of disease is not yet over”.
Hepatitis A is a contagious infection in the liver and is often transmitted through contaminated food.
KITV.com says many customers were “bummed” on finding out that Genki Sushi’s scallops were said to be the source of the outbreak, but they also said they were happy that the outbreak would eventually come to an end.
Genki Sushi will be allowed to reopen the restaurants after they’re disinfected.
The Sea Port Bay Scallops (Wild Harvest, Raw Frozen) product originated in the Philippines and states “Product of the Philippines” on the packaging. She also told consumers to watch for symptoms of the disease for up to 50 days. The employee worked on July 21 through 23 and 26 through 30, and August 2 through 6 and 9 through 11.
DOH is providing this information to the public as a precaution in an attempt to prevent any new cases. The likelihood that patrons of this business will become infected is very low.
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Vaccination provides the best protection from hepatitis A, so any persons who may have consumed this product may want to contact their healthcare providers about receiving a vaccine or immune globulin. The post-exposure shot is most effective if taken within two weeks of exposure. A statewide list of vaccinating pharmacies can be found online here, or call the Aloha United Way information and referral line at 2-1-1.
