Food poisoning closes sushi shop

A sushi bar in Oxford has been shut down by the Health Protection Agency after two people were taken to hospital with food poisoning linked to raw fish.

Oisi Master Sushi Bar in St Clements was closed on 22 May when the city council was notified that two of its customers had been taken ill.

Environmental health officers said the premises were in a "very poor condition" and there was no hot water.

Magistrates signed the closure order on Monday and the bar has yet to comment.

'Imminent risk'

The customers were given antihistamines in hospital for an allergic reaction to chemicals found in spoiled fish called scombroid toxins, the council said.

Ian Wright, health development service manager at Oxford City Council, said: "We were satisfied that there was an imminent risk of injury to health so we served an emergency prohibition later that night which closed the restaurant.

"We then had to apply to the court for an order to confirm our actions and Oxford magistrates agreed with us that the restaurant should stay closed."