Authorities inspect Italian restaurant after diners fall ill
Officials from the Jing'an District food watchdog have collected several food samples for laboratory tests during an on-the-spot inspection at La Scala in the Sukhothai Shanghai Hotel on Friday after several diners claimed they became ill.
The food samples sent to be tested include beef and smoked salmon, as well as knives and cutting boards. The tests will cover common micro-organisms, pathogenic micro-organisms and norovirus, the Jing'an District Market Supervision and Management Bureau said.
At the restaurant, officials checked food materials, certificates from suppliers and personnel health conditions.
Meanwhile, La Scala has been removed from restaurant review website dianping.com.
A total of eight diners eating at the restaurant at two different times claimed they suffered from vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
Marcel N.A. Holman, general manager of the hotel, said on Friday that the hotel was very concerned about these guests and was sorry about the incident.
"We are working very closely with the local government and agencies," he said. "We send our food to the laboratory regularly to make sure they are tested."
He said the hotel has inspected the kitchen and the documents of suppliers after the incident.