Sushi Restaurant Under Investigation Following Alarming Food Poisoning Reports: What You Need to Know

Local health officials are currently investigating a sushi restaurant in Nashville after several customers reported symptoms of severe food poisoning. About a dozen diners at Sushi Train fell ill quickly after their meal. The Metro Public Health Department confirmed they are looking into the situation to identify the cause.

A representative from the health department stated that pinpointing the exact source of the illness can be tough, but they’re working diligently to uncover what went wrong. When The Tennessean reached out to Sushi Train, staff appeared unaware of the complaints, and management was unavailable for comment. The restaurant remained open for business as of yesterday.

In a routine inspection conducted on April 14, officials listed 16 food safety violations at the restaurant. Among these violations, inspectors found sushi on the conveyor belt at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and imitation crab meat at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Food safety standards require that prepared sushi not served immediately must be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to avoid bacterial growth.

Additional violations included a lack of soap in the employee restroom and low chlorine levels in the dishwasher, which are crucial for proper sanitization. The report also highlighted issues with the storage of hazardous food, insufficient cleaning of food-contact surfaces, and improper chemical storage.

Just three days later, health officials conducted a follow-up investigation after receiving more complaints about potential foodborne illness or chemical contamination. They noted that Sushi Train could face closure if problems persist. You can find the initial inspection report and other evaluations on the Tennessee Department of Health website.

Sushi restaurants have faced scrutiny before for foodborne illnesses. For instance, in 2023 alone, over 140 illnesses were linked to a sushi restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. In another troubling case, a deadly outbreak at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman, Montana, was traced back to undercooked morel mushrooms, sickening over 50 people, leading to three hospitalizations and two deaths. Following this incident, a lawsuit was filed by Ron Simon & Associates, a national food safety law firm, seeking damages for those affected.

With sushi’s growing popularity, it’s important for diners to remain vigilant. Following proper food safety practices is crucial not just for restaurants but also for customers to avoid health risks. Keeping informed and aware can help prevent similar incidents.

For further information on food safety regulations, visit the FoodSafety.gov.

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