Popular eatery shut down after diners fall ill

A popular Hong Kong-style dim sum and dessert restaurant in Shanghai has been temporarily shut down after diners complained of gastrointestinal discomfort, the city's food watchdog said today.

All nine outlets of "LIST" and its central kitchen in Shanghai have been ordered to suspend operation after diners complained they suffered gastrointestinal discomfort after meals at four branches of the restaurant, including one at CapitaLand Hongkou Plaza, the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration said.

Food and raw materials at the restaurants have been sealed off. Investigation is underway and samples have been sent for laboratory tests, according to the administration.

In addition, online food delivery platforms have been ordered to remove the restaurants, the administration said.

Known as a wanghong restaurant, or literally "web celebrity restaurant," "LIST" served classic Hong Kong-style dim sum such as shrimp dumpling and steamed chicken feet.

At the outlets of "LIST" at MetroCity in Xuhui District and Super Brand Mall in Pudong New Area, there were signs saying the restaurants were experiencing interior upgrading. On restaurant review website dianping.com, the restaurant can no longer be found. There have been a large number of complaints from sick diners online.

A Netizen said he and four colleagues had lunch at one of the outlets at Super Brand Mall on July 18 and four of them suffered fever and gastroenteritis.

Another Netizen said she developed symptoms of high fever and diarrhea after having a meal at the CapitaLand Hongkou Plaza outlet on July 15, and was forced to take an intravenous drip for two days.

Businesses producing and selling tainted food or food threatening people's health will be fined up to 20 times the value of the food and will have their food business license revoked in serious cases, according to Shanghai’s food regulations.

The administration said summer is the peak time for food poisoning cases and food businesses should abide by food regulations strictly.