Toronto Public Health inspectors have closed the Ruby Chinese Restaurant in Agincourt after a confirmed outbreak of salmonella bacteria.
The indefinite closure was ordered, according to the city's Oct. 7 inspection report, because the restaurant on Sandhurst Circle had failed "to ensure food is not contaminated" and "to prevent an insect infestation."On Thursday, Oct. 8, health department spokesperson Rishma Govani said stool samples have confirmed 19 people who ate at the restaurant from Sept. 12 and 20 had the same strain of the harmful bacteria.There are 18 other probable cases, including an elderly man who has died, she said.Dr. Howard Shapiro, of the Torontp Public Health, said three other people were hospitalized.The particularly salmonella strain, he said, is "commonly associated with animal products, but you can get it in other places as well."The inspection report notes several other minor and significant infractions in the long-standing 600-seat restaurant outside the Woodside Square shopping centre. They involved improper maintenance, sanitation of surfaces and protection of food from contamination.There is no further danger to the public and the department is not asking diners for more information.Despite the results of Wednesday's random check, the restaurant passed city inspections on Sept. 29 and Aug. 24. "They did have a good record up until now," said Govani, but added conditions in a restaurant can change quickly.In April, Toronto's Board of Health heard an estimated one in every six Toronto residents each year gets a food-bourne illness and "the vast majority of cases are not reported."