The Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) is following up on two collective cases, where eight people felt unwell after eating in an izakaya (Japanese style pub) called “田淵” on Avenida da República in Sai Van on Friday, according to an IAM statement yesterday.
The eight people developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever on Saturday after eating Wagyu Sukiyaki and Japanese omelette, the statement said, adding that according to the epidemiological investigation conducted by the bureau, it is likely that the incident was caused by a bacterial pathogen.
The statement noted that IAM officials went to the restaurant to investigate, and after taking food samples from the restaurant for examination they found that the overall environmental hygiene of the eatery was unsatisfactory, as both raw and cooked food were not stored separately and properly.
The bureau ordered the immediate suspension of the eatery’s operation, which will remain in force until the restaurant has passed the bureau’s assessment in the re-inspection.
In addition, the bureau also announced in a separate statement on Sunday that it had launched an investigation into three collective cases on Saturday where a total of 16 people felt unwell after eating in two eateries, namely a dim sum restaurant called “粵匠•臻品” on Avenida de Venceslau de Morais, and another dim sum restaurant called “粵匠•名爐” on Avenida do Almirante Magalhães Correia, both of which are in Areia Preta district.
According to the statement, the patients ate food such as spiced salt ginger pork knuckle, and developed nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
The two eateries were ordered to suspend the supply of the problematic food products immediately.
The statement said that during the high temperatures in the summer, food can easily perish and, therefore, gastrointestinal illnesses are common. The bureau appealed to the trade to comply with the government’s Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines, such as that raw and cooked food should be properly handled and stored separately to avoid cross contamination, while ingredients should be prepared according to actual demand, properly covered and stored in refrigerated facilities.
The statement also said that high-risk groups, such as the elderly, infants and young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, should avoid consuming raw or undercooked food.
This undated handout photo downloaded from the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) website shows the izakaya (Japanese style pub) called “田淵” on Avenida da República in Sai Van.
