A top restaurant sickened 63 people in Denmark with viral gastroenteritis. The restaurant, Noma, was ordered by Danish food safety officials to clean up and have better food handling procedures.
The virus that hit the two-star Michelin eatery causes vomiting and diarrhea. A spokesman for the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration called the outbreak “massive.”
The Administration explained on Friday that it investigated the popular restaurant after complaints from customers who all dined there during the same week in February.
The 63 infected people all ate at the top restaurant between February 12 and 16, according to a food safety report. The inspection also involved local restaurants and food retail companies. Peter Kreiner, Noma’s restaurant manager, apologized for the sickness, adding that they are working to track down the source of the infection.
Kreiner added that the restaurant contacted authorities as soon as it became aware of the sickness. He explained, “Our business is based on having satisfied customers here and we’re incredibly sorry on behalf of our guests.”
Noma opened in 2004 and is known for its chef, Rene Redzepi. The eatery has hit the top spot three times in the world’s best restaurants list compiled by Restaurant magazine. Redzepi relies on fresh, locally-grown products for his food. He uses anything from moss, snails, and sloe berries to unripe plums in the creation of his unique dishes.
The top restaurant has also been credited with the redefinition of Nordic cooking. Menus can cost up to $260 and table reservations are usually required months in advance in order to dine there. Noma tends to receive thousands of reservation requests each day.
Is is not yet known what caused the sickness. The symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea, are two common symptoms of norovirus . Along with the illness among patrons, the health inspection also showed illness among people who handled the food. The inspection also reportedly showed other health violations with Noma.
Is is not yet clear it the top restaurant that sickened 63 customers will receive two stars from Michelin again .
