Image by Omi Sido from Pixabay
Sushi Train is the focus of a foodborne illness investigation in Nashville, Tennessee. Reports of at least 12 customers between late March and late April have prompted an outbreak investigation. During the course of a health department inspection, serious counts of observed food safety non-compliance were identified.
Some are serious enough to cause imminent health risks.
A food poisoning lawsuit is likely coming to Nashville. If you have become sick after eating at this “sushi conveyor” style restaurant, follow along to find out why and what you can do.
What a cool concept. You sit in a booth and wait for something eye catching to come along the conveyor belt. This all-you-can-eat style sitting buffet is growing in popularity. But is it safe?
If temperature controls are kept in check and food is appropriately covered. Sure! It can be safe.
But issues with temperature control and serious food safety deviations in the Sushi Train kitchen created a sushi train line to the bathroom.
A quick look at Yelp reviews showed mixed feelings.
With an average rating of 3.3 made up of over 400 reviews, personally I may have passed on the restaurant. Regardless of the fun novelty and neat date night idea.
Some of the pictures posted from fellow Yelpers included dirty signs next to the dishes on the conveyor belt. An indication of potential unsanitary conditions in areas not visible to the public.
The plates were covered though. So that is a plus. Some of the post-COVID safety measures persist.
It is unclear whether the most recent restaurant inspection was conducted in response to the reports of foodborne illness after eating food at the restaurant, or if the inspection was just a regularly conducted visit.
Sushi Train had an inspection the previous year at about this time, also requiring a follow-up for serious food safety deviations. So, this could have been a routine inspection. It came, however, at the best possible time. In time to bring attention to the serious risks posed by health and safety violations that have led to potential illnesses from consuming food at the restaurant.
Regardless, Sushi Train demonstrated numerous non-compliances in their April 14, 2025 inspection. Receiving a score of 71. A C in high school may have been not-so-great but still passing grade. In this case, a C is serious.
Sushi Train, located on 94 White Bridge Rd, in Nashville, Tennessee had several noteworthy, and cringe-inducing observations during the inspection on April 14, 2025.
Some of the more serious offenses include:
Observations that can cause or spread foodborne illness.
As with most health department jurisdictions, a low score of 71 would prompt a follow-up inspection to ensure that appropriate measures are taking place. While this follow-up inspection on April 30, 2025 had an improved score of 93, Sushi Train was still out of compliance on some key food safety aspects.
For example, the report noted that there were still problems with the food preparation, storage, and/or display. As well as proper in-use utensil storage. While the details are not specific here, the report could refer to any one of several previous deficiencies from the extensive list above.
The follow-up inspection report also indicated continued problems with the toilet facilities. My hope is that the restaurant has not had time to source trash cans with lids, instead of the other bathroom-related deficiency in the first inspection. Lack of soap in the employee bathroom.
The specific germ(s) responsible for the restaurant patron’s illness has not been made public. However media reports noted that illness onset was rapid.
A few foodborne germs fit that parameter. The same that are common in restaurants and/or foods that contain rice.
These include Bacillus cereus, norovirus, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Bacillus cereus causes two different types of illness, depending on whether or not toxins have formed in the food prior to eating (emetic) or toxins form in the body after eating contaminated food (diarrheal syndrome).
With emetic syndrome, the primary symptom is vomiting. This happens anywhere from one to six hours after consuming contaminated food. Often rice.
The diarrheal syndrome symptoms, are primarily diarrhea. This typically takes between six and 15 hours after consuming contaminated food. Often soups.
Norovirus symptoms often begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, headache, fever, body aches, and/or dehydration. Most people recover within a few days. However, dehydration could lead to serious illness resulting in hospitalization.
Staphylococcus aureus symptoms come on quickly. Often within 30 minutes to eight hours after consuming contaminated food.
Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and/or diarrhea lasting about a day.
If you became seriously ill after eating food from Sushi Train in Nashville, you are likely part of this outbreak. But there are a few things that you should do.
Illnesses causing vomiting and diarrhea can deplete the body of important hydration. Drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeine or sugary drinks, and get in electrolytes to rebalance the salts in your body.
Reporting your illness or getting tested for foodborne illness helps investigators narrow down the source. Perhaps a specific ingredient was involved in causing this outbreak. The more information investigators have about what people consumed prior to becoming sick, the faster they can determine a source and prevent further illnesses.
If you became seriously ill after eating at Sushi Train and wish to make a legal claim, receipts are an important part of the process. Save your receipts.
If you became sick after eating food from Sushi Train in Nashville and wish to file a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help.
The experienced food poisoning lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have won millions of dollars in food poisoning and product liability cases. Many with the same situation you have experienced.
Call (833) 330-3663 for you free, no obligation consultation or fill out the online submission form to email your information.
Don’t wait. Reach out today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non lawyer)
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