Five people have fallen sick after eating food sold at a Costco store in Japan.
Earlier this month, the Nagoya City Public Health Center received a report of a person infected by E. coli. After investigating, it was found that the patient had eaten food prepared at the Costco Wholesale Moriyama Warehouse Store.
Further inquiries revealed that five people who consumed food made and served at the site between May 31 and June 1 had symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Patients range in age from 7 to 49 years old.
E. coli O157 was detected in stool samples from all five patients. The suspected product name is the High Roller bacon lettuce tomato (BLT) wrap.
The Nagoya City Public Health Center has issued a suspension order to the restaurant and food manufacturing businesses that were involved in the preparation of contaminated food at the store.
In a statement, Costco Japan said: “We have received reports of illness from some members who consumed ‘High Roller’ products manufactured and sold at the Moriyama Warehouse Store’s delicatessen corner on May 31 and June 1. An investigation revealed the presence of E. coli O157.
“We sincerely apologize to affected members and their families for the great distress and worry caused. We are currently fully cooperating with the public health center’s investigation and have re-emphasized our safety management system based on their guidance.”
Costco said it had cleaned related equipment and brought in an external company to disinfect the food manufacturing area. “High Roller” products made on May 31, or June 1, have also been recalled.
The Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) published a special feature on E. coli infection earlier this year.
According to the Infectious Disease Outbreak Trend Survey, in 2025, 2,472 symptomatic E. coli infections and 1,866 asymptomatic cases – detected through epidemiological surveys or regular stool tests by food workers – were reported. Overall, the 4,338 cases is the highest figure since 2011.
There were 59 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and E. coli was isolated from 46 cases. Of these, O157 was detected 41 times. Ten incidents of E. coli food poisoning were reported to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2025 with 362 patients.