"Snacks and More Caused 150 Infections"... Food Warned to 'Be Careful' During Japan Trip

Hong Kong health authorities have urged citizens planning to travel to Japan to be cautious of norovirus infections.

On the 9th (local time), according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Dr. Edwin Chui, head of the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP), said, "To minimize the risk of food poisoning when traveling to Japan, please pay attention to personal, environmental, and food hygiene."

At a traditional confectionery shop in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, 23 people showed symptoms of food poisoning after eating strawberry daifuku. Strawberry daifuku stock photo. Getty Images

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Dr. Chui cited Japanese authorities, stating, "More than 150 people who dined at Kiichi, a restaurant in Osaka Prefecture, or ate Japanese sweets such as strawberry daifuku produced by Kiyotsuki Co., Ltd. in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, were infected with norovirus last month."

According to Japanese media including the Mainichi Shimbun, 56 people who ate at Kiichi twice last month reported symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Kiichi is a kaiseki (Japanese traditional multi-course meal) specialty restaurant and has been featured in the Michelin Guide for the Kansai region. Following a health department investigation that detected norovirus, the restaurant was ordered to suspend operations.

56 people who dined at Kiichi reported symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Kiichi is a kaiseki (Japanese multi-course banquet cuisine) specialty restaurant and is a famous eatery that has been featured in the Kansai region Michelin Guide. Kaiseki cuisine stock photo. Getty Images

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Additionally, on the 3rd and 4th, 23 people who ate strawberry daifuku at a traditional confectionery store in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, showed symptoms of food poisoning. Norovirus was confirmed in some patients and store employees, and the confectionery shop was ordered to suspend operations for five days.

According to Dr. Chui, norovirus is more active in winter. He warned, "It can be transmitted through various routes such as consuming contaminated food, contact with the excrement of infected persons, and contact with contaminated objects. Norovirus is highly contagious and can easily cause infection with minimal exposure, leading to large-scale outbreaks."

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