CANADA: Health department closes Vineland Chinese restaurant

31.jul.08
St. Catherines Standard
Monique Beech

A Vineland, Onatrio, Chinese restaurant has been closed following a suspected food
contamination outbreak that made at least 19 people ill.
China Express was closed last Friday by Niagara public health officials after a
number of health violations were found at the takeout restaurant at 4630 Victoria
Ave., near South Service Road.
China Express remained closed Thursday for "unsanitary conditions and improper food
handling," read a notice posted at the restaurant. Public health inspectors
continued to investigate the eatery, which recently changed ownership.
Nineteen people, believed to have eaten at the restaurant on or around July 24, fell
ill with typical food poisoning symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
What exactly caused the outbreak is still being investigated, said Bjorn
Christensen, director of environmental health with the Region's public health unit.
Officials have taken samples from the restaurant to a lab to try to isolate the
organism that caused the illness, he said. The results are not yet available.