In May of 2023, Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman reopened after being closed for almost a year due to an outbreak that affected 50 people and resulted in two deaths. The investigation revealed that the morel mushrooms served by the restaurant were not cooked properly, leading to the toxin contamination. Despite this incident, no other restaurant that received morels from the same supplier reported any issues with their customers.
The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the outbreak at Dave’s Sushi, but they have shared some insights on how to prevent food-borne illnesses. According to them, there are five main risk factors that contribute to such illnesses: unsafe food sources, improper food storage temperatures, undercooked or raw food, contaminated environments and equipment, and poor personal hygiene of handlers.
Since its reopening, Dave’s Sushi has been closely monitored by the health department. Frequent inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Most violations found during inspections are typically corrected on-site or shortly after and do not result in closure of the establishment. During the last inspection on December 20th, 2023, two violations were reported at Dave’s Sushi but were promptly addressed and resolved on-site.
It is important for restaurants to take food safety seriously and follow proper protocols to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future. This includes using safe ingredients, storing food properly and cooking it thoroughly before serving it to customers.
In conclusion, while Dave’s Sushi may have faced some challenges due to its past incident with contaminated morels, it has since been closely monitored by health authorities and has made necessary changes to ensure compliance with regulations. As a result of these efforts, they have been able to maintain a clean slate during their last inspection on December 20th
