Sushi birthday party ends with 12 teenagers hospitalized and dozens more sick with food poisoning: Victims were ‘projectile vomiting’ inside and outside Long Island restaurant
- A dozen 13-year-old girls found themselves in a New York hospital due to food poisoning after becoming ill from a meal at a Japanese steakhouse
- It’s believed contaminated rice may be responsible for symptoms which included ‘projectile vomiting’
- Diners at the Kumo Sushi and Steakhouse near Stony Brook University described a distressing scene as people vomited both inside and outside the establishment
Twelve 13-year-old girls all ended up in at New York hospital with food poisoning after getting sick from eating food at a Japanese steakhouse.
The group were celebrating Arial Arias’ daughter’s birthday at a restaurant on Long Island which also saw a least two dozen more people falling ill, including a pregnant woman.
The parents of the birthday girl believe the rice is to blame for causing horrific symptoms.
All those gathered at the party ordered different foodstuffs including chicken, beef, and vegetables, but rice was the one common factor between all the dishes.
Witnesses at the Kumo Sushi and Steakhouse near Stony Brook University said the scene was ‘distressing’ with people ‘projectile vomiting’ both inside and outside of the venue.
Other parents who were seated at the bar and ordered seafood did not experience any symptoms.
‘We didn’t get sick from the sushi — they all got sick from the hibachi,’ Arias said to Fox News. ‘It was like the opposite of what you would have thought.
‘It was one other group that was there before us — they were vomiting first in the bathroom,’ Arias explained. ‘So the girls were telling me they thought that, the lady, [who] was vomiting all over, had a stomach virus, and the girls were getting nervous
Those who began to feel ill did so soon after consuming the food.
‘It was traumatic,’ Arias said to News 12. ‘One girl was projectile vomiting. I still didn’t know if it was anxiety. I happened to look over, another girl projectile vomiting.’
It landed 12 people in hospital with a further 28 others reporting various symptoms.
The rapid onset of symptoms, combined with the likelihood that all victims consumed rice, points to a potential culprit: bacillus cereus, a bacteria commonly found in uncooked rice.
It becomes harmful when cooked rice is left at room temperature, causing the release of toxins that can lead to food poisoning.
Suffolk County health officials have since issued 15 alleged violations against the restaurant including eight for foodborne illness risk factors.
Health investigators suspect that the restaurant’s refrigerator may have been damaged, but an investigation is ongoing.
‘I’m distraught. I went to take my daughter out for her 13th birthday and celebrate with all of her best friends. I thought this was going to be a joyous thing, and it turned out with them all in the hospital together for the night,’ Arias said.
She is now considering legal action against Kumo to compensate for the girls’ suffering.
‘I’m extremely angry with the business. We all go out to eat all the time. We never think we’re going to eat somewhere, and the food is going to be contaminated.’
Despite the traumatic experience, the teenagers are recovering although many are still suffering from stomach pains and some are a little more hesitant to dine out again.
The owners of Kumo, Tony and Bobby Lam, say they promise to improve their practices.
“At Kumo restaurant, we consider our patrons an extension of our family, and your wellbeing remains our top priority. We are committed to learning from this incident, enhancing our practices, and ensuring that every visit to Kumo is not just a meal but a memorable and safe experience,’ the owners said in a statement.
The restaurant may yet face fines following a Suffolk County Health Department investigation.
