The Balearic Government's health ministry has proposed fining a restaurant in Arenal €200,000 for a salmonella outbreak in August last year. Some 60 customers at the Dragon Sushi were affected by the outbreak, which was similar to one at a restaurant of the same name on C. Blanquerna in Palma in 2019. As well as the administrative proceedings for the fine, the restaurant's management is being investigated for a possible crime against public health and another of negligence.
The fine is based on the results of six different inspections after the outbreak on August 7. That same day, inspectors found "significant deficiencies". The main one related to cooked rice left for hours at room temperature in the kitchen, which at that time was over 30 degrees Celsius. Three days later, the inspectors returned, and the report details practices related to the tortillas. These were made with fresh eggs and cooked in batches of 50 in dirty containers. Some of the dishes were found to have been prepared two days prior.
Following this inspection, the restaurant's operations were suspended. Within ten days, a document was submitted indicating that the deficiencies had been corrected. The reopening lasted until another inspection in November. On that occasion, samples of rice left out in the open were again found to have been prepared 19 hours earlier. The suspension was reapplied and remains in effect.
The report confirms that the source of the salmonella outbreak was egg used to batter shrimps. It classifies the incident as a very serious food safety violation and proposes the substantial fine of €200,000, which is pending ratification. This week, several of those affected by the food poisoning appeared in a Palma court. They all confirmed that after eating at the establishment, they experienced gastric symptoms requiring medical attention.