Key Update

A special sushi roll containing salmon and morel mushrooms at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman, Montana, United States, sickened more than 40 people and claimed the lives of Donna Ventura (64) and William Lewis (74) after they dined at the restaurant on April 17.

Investigation Traces Mushrooms to Supply Chain

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services investigated the outbreak and traced the morel mushrooms to a California-based supplier that had imported them from China and distributed them to multiple states.

Donna Ventura collapsed at home on the day she ate at the restaurant. Emergency responders rushed her to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Centre, where doctors treated her for cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure. She died 13 days later. William Lewis died the morning after dining at the restaurant.

Restaurant Closes After Food Poisoning Complaints

After receiving numerous food poisoning complaints, authorities closed Dave’s Sushi on April 21. The restaurant acknowledged the illnesses and confirmed that the affected “special roll” contained FDA-approved cultured morel mushrooms, which may have been the common ingredient linked to the outbreak. Health authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the illnesses.

Source: The Independent