From Bozeman’s Buzz: Sushi Restaurant Faces Food Safety Investigation and Reopening

In Bozeman, a restaurant named Dave’s Sushi was ordered to shut down by the Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHHD) in May of 2023. The closure was due to an outbreak that affected 50 people and resulted in two deaths. An investigation revealed that the morel mushrooms served at the restaurant were not cooked properly, leading to contamination with a toxin.

Despite reopening, the GCCHD has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the outbreak at Dave’s Sushi. However, they have shared that there are five main risk factors that contribute to food-borne illnesses, including unsafe food sources, improper food storage temperatures, undercooked or raw food, contaminated environments and equipment, and poor personal hygiene of handlers.

Since reopening, Dave’s Sushi has been closely monitored by the health department with frequent inspections to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Most violations found during inspections are typically corrected on-site or shortly after and do not result in closure of the establishment. During their last inspection on December 20th, 2023 two violations were reported but were promptly addressed and resolved on-site.