Aomori prefectural health officials said Monday that 77 people suffered food poisoning after eating bentos bought from a store in Hachinohe. Of the 77, 25 had contracted the norovirus, officials said.
Fuji TV quoted health officials as saying the bentos in question were sold on Jan 14. The store said it sold bentos to 284 customers. Seventy-seven people complained of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea on Jan 16, officials said. The victims ranged in age from their 20s to 70s.
The store, named Wa, has been ordered to suspended operations for five days, until Friday.