Food Poisoning Outbreak Affects 130 in Yokohama

A food poisoning outbreak linked to grilled eel sold at the Keikyu Department Store in Yokohama has left over 130 customers ill and resulted in one death, a woman in her 90s. The affected individuals experienced symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after consuming unagi from Nihonbashi Unagi Isesada, which was prepared in a backyard kitchen during a spike in sales for the traditional summer delicacy. Health officials identified staphylococcus aureus bacteria in stool samples of some of the affected customers. While most cases were not severe, the death of the elderly woman, who had underlying health conditions, remains under investigation to determine a direct link to the food poisoning. Keikyu Department Store's president has publicly apologized and pledged full cooperation with health authorities, as operations at Isesada have been suspended. The incident raises concerns over food safety practices during peak demand periods for popular seasonal foods.