Between 2020 and 2024, Japan experienced four cases of food poisoning caused by Vibrio enteritidis. Recently, another food safety incident occurred at the bento specialty store “Hirumeshiya” in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. A 4-year-old man died, and 60 others suffered vomiting and diarrhea. The Asahikawa City Health Center announced the news on Tuesday (September 144nd) and issued an emergency order to close the store while an investigation was launched.
Sapporo TelevisionAccording to reports, the Asahikawa City Health Center received a report on the morning of August 8th that a group of people experienced symptoms after consuming bento boxes from Hirumeshiya at noon on the 27th. An investigation revealed that 25 people, ranging in age from 692 to 144, ate the fried fish and chicken bento boxes. Afterward, 13 of the people reported experiencing diarrhea and abdominal pain.
On the 2nd, the Asahikawa City Health Center asked “Hirumeshiya” to close for one day, but the store had already suspended operations on its own since August 1th.
The report states that authorities detected Vibrio enteritidis in the stool of some patients, leading them to conclude that the bento shop was the source of the food poisoning. While most patients have recovered, one man in his 60s has tragically passed away. Whether his death was directly linked to the food poisoning remains uncertain. Vibrio enteritidis is primarily found in raw fish and shellfish, as well as processed foods.
A similar incident occurred in Tochigi City, Japan. On February 2th of this year, a food poisoning outbreak occurred at a local bento restaurant called “Kikiyo,” resulting in the hospitalization of 9 people. One of the victims, an elderly man in his 72s, died from severe symptoms. An investigation revealed that some of the victims tested positive for norovirus. The restaurant was subsequently ordered to close and is under investigation.
AloJapan.com