Iconic Sydney restaurant The Eight is forced to close after mass ‘food poisoning’ incident which also affected a baby
A popular yum cha restaurant has been shut down by food safety authorities during one of its busiest weeks of the year after a dozen diners, including a baby, fell ill with suspected food poisoning.
The Eight restaurant in Sydney’s busy Chinatown precinct in Haymarket remains closed after patrons from at least three tables claimed to have suffered ill effects from a Chinese New Year banquet last Wednesday.
A nine-month-old baby was rushed to the emergency department at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead after vomiting repeatedly.
A man, 24 also complained of severe vomiting and presented to the Prince of Wales Hospital emergency department, where doctors confirmed it was food poisoning.
Another diner claimed that she and others at her table also fell ill.
‘I was just vomiting the entire night,’ the woman told Nine News.
‘I felt out of breath.
‘Actually five of my other friends that dined there with us got the same symptoms as me.
This diner said eating at a popular Chinese restaurant left her vomiting through the night
A dozen diners fell ill after enjoying a Chinese New Year meal at The Eight last Wednesday
‘I expected clean food. Definitely that wasn’t what we got.’
The woman said her table spent more than $1000 on a Chinese feast that included salmon, oysters, lobster, fish, soup, rice, and fruit.
Another customer claimed that her table of eight, including the infant, all became sick after spending nearly $1300.
She suffered muscle pain and bad gastro while her husband came down with a fever.
Angry customers also reported illnesses on Google reviews, with one saying three of the five people who dined on Wednesday were ‘poisoned’ and another claiming their family also were poisoned.
Another diner claimed they were ‘crook as hell’ for two days after the meal.
Food safety and health officials have shut down the restaurant to swab surfaces and inspect processes as part of its investigation.
‘We issued a prohibition order just to mitigate the risk of further cases,’ NSW Food Authority compliance director Greg Vakaci said.
NSW food authorities have shut down the Haymarket restaurant (pictured) as it investigates the food poisoning claims
A sign at the entrance advises the restaurant is temporary closed for repairs due to a ‘unforeseen kitchen issue’, much to the disappointment of diners who turned up for lunch on Sunday.
‘We are working diligently to resolve the issue and will notify you as soon as we are ready to welcome you back,’ it states.
Another handwritten sign in both English and Chinese on the door states: ‘Sorry, we are not open today.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Eight for comment.
The restaurant aims to challenge limits of traditional Chinese cuisine.
‘We are committed to bring every guest the most memorable modern Chinese dining experience,’ its website states.
We present the unique modern Chinese cooking simply to its best.
