OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police on Monday arrested the managers of a one-time Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant for allegedly promoting bento bins contaminated with norovirus whereas operations have been suspended, reviews Fuji News Network (June 16).
Police accused Hirokazu Kitano, the 69-year-old supervisor of Kiichi, his son, 41-year-old Hirotoshi and his spouse, 68-year-old Noriko, of violating the Food Sanitation Law.
According to police, the three suspects allegedly offered eleven bento bins contaminated with norovirus on February 16 regardless of an order to stop operations.
The incident emerged after a complete of 33 clients skilled signs that included vomiting and diarrhea following the consumption of meals on the restaurant or bento boxed meals offered between early and mid-February.
A health care provider reported to the general public well being middle that norovirus was detected within the stool of a affected person who visited the restaurant on February 10, 2025.
After an investigation, the general public well being middle decided that the meals poisoning was attributable to meals supplied by the restaurant and ordered the restaurant to droop operations for 2 days from February 15.
But the issue continued. Between February 22 and 24, a further 23 individuals contracted norovirus after consuming on the restaurant. The middle ordered the restaurant to close once more from March 2. Business resumed on March 18.
Luxurious bentos
The catered bento bins in query have been luxurious, containing simmered dishes, tempura, sashimi and different gadgets. The record worth was 7,268 yen every, together with tax.
A complete of 11 “Rokutsugiri Kongo Makunouchi” and “Kids’ Bento” bins have been made throughout the suspension of operations.
When requested to touch upon the making and promoting of bento bins regardless of an order to halt operations, Hirokazu Kitano said, “We cooked and sold 11 bento boxes at Kiichi. We had a poor understanding of the dangers of norovirus.”
Police are at the moment investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.