In May of 2023, Dave’s Sushi reopened in Bozeman after being closed for nearly a year due to an outbreak that affected 50 people and resulted in two deaths. The investigation revealed that the morel mushrooms served by the restaurant were not cooked properly, leading to the toxin contamination. However, no other restaurant that received morels from the same supplier reported any issues with their customers. Despite this, the Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the outbreak at the restaurant.
The GCCHD has 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 the last inspection on December 20th of 2023, two violations were reported at Dave’s Sushi but were promptly addressed and resolved on-site.