An investigation into 7 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Honolulu, Hawaii concluded that all seven individuals had a history of consuming food prepared at Sekiya’s Restaurant and Delicatessen located at 2746 Kaimuki Avenue in Honolulu. 6 of these cases had been diagnosed in December 2007; the seventh, in February 2008. The February case prompted the Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) to issue a Notice of Permit Suspension to Sekiya’s effective February 23, 2008 due to reported illnesses. The restaurant closed at that time to conduct intensive prevention measures.

DOH has reinstated the permit for Sekiya’s to conduct food service operations once again. According to a DOH press release, the restaurant passed its final inspection on Monday night following the completion of an intensive mitigation plan developed with the DOH that included extensive food safety measures taken by the ownership, management and staff with oversight and guidance provided by their private food safety consultant and the DOH.

Prior to the final inspection, Sekiya’s Restaurant completed a number of corrective measures that included: hiring a private food safety consultant; removing all food products and supplies; complete disinfection and cleaning of the entire restaurant; management and staff taking a comprehensive course of study on food safety via classes provided by the DOH; and outlining active managerial controls to ensure that the provisions of the state’s food code are adhered to.

Larry Lau, Deputy Director for Environmental Health said, “The owners and management of Sekiya’s Restaurant have given us their full cooperation, and we feel confident that they are now in compliance with state food safety codes.”

Labels: Honolulu Outbreak

Cases of Salmonella in Hawaii have prompted Choyce Products of Honolulu, Hawaii to recall 5,452 pounds of frozen Yellowfin Tuna. The FDA and the state of Hawaii are conducting a joint investigation of a variety of vendors due to the state receiving Salmonella illness reports between October 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.

Choyce Products' customers received the recalled cubed tuna in frozen form. The frozen product is packaged in labeled white cardboard shipping boxes containing 22 pounds of product. These boxes each contain 11 2-pound packages of vacuum-packed product in unlabeled plastic bags.

The frozen Yellowfin tuna was distributed on Oahu and most likely reached consumers in the form of a mixed, previously frozen, seafood product through its customers. Choyce Products received the tuna from a mainland importer who confirmed the tuna was sent from Indonesia.

We are a national law firm with extensive experience with Salmonella lawsuits. Our lawyers have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and other publications. Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Elliot Olsen have been named “Super Lawyers” by Law & Politics magazine. Fred Pritzker is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America. To contact a Salmonella lawyer at our firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit our free case consultation form.

Posted February 2008.

Labels: Hawaii Salmonella, Honolulu Outbreak, salmonella lawyer, tuna recall