Kanishka Cuisine of India Linked to Food Poisoning Outbreak in Seattle, At Least 35 Sickened from Fusion Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving Indian fusion meals from Kanishka Cuisine of India are a common factor in at least 35 gastrointestinal illnesses clustered around Seattle, Washington. Authorities believe the specific cause of the illness is a fast-acting toxin produced by one or two bacteria.

Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens.

These bacteria are known to produce toxins consistent with outbreak patient symptoms.

Here’s what we know about the Kanishka Cuisine of India outbreak so far.

Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak Associated with Thanksgiving Fusion Meals from Kanishka Cuisine of India

At least 35 people have reported illnesses with similar symptoms.

Their common factor?

They all consumed Thanksgiving fusion meals from Kanishka cuisine of India. The restaurants “Thanksgiving Fusion Feast.”

Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak

Kanishka Cuisine of India

1534 1^st Ave S, Seattle Washington

At least 35 illnesses reported

This food was prepared at the restaurant and either picked up by customers or delivered by the restaurant.

According to King County Public Health, 35 reported becoming sick since November 28, 2025 after eating Kanishka Cuisine of India “Fusion Thanksgiving Feast” between November 27 and November 28, 2025. Sick patrons reported illness onset between November 28 and November 29, 2025.

These consumers indicated one or more symptoms of diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and/or body aches.

Kanishka Cuisine of India Outbreak Investigation

King County Public Health launched an outbreak investigation upon receiving complaints of illness.

Tests on sick patient samples were negative for “germs that commonly cause gastrointestinal illness. Norovirus, Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. These tests fall short when it is toxins, rather than bacteria that caused the illness.

Toxins usually act aggressively and quickly, with symptoms appearing within a shorter timeframe after eating contaminated food and passes quickly. According to King County Public Health, “by the time someone sees a doctor, it is usually too late to test.” For this reason, investigators suspect that the cause of these illnesses could be toxins produced by either Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens.

Next, sick people were contacted. Reports indicate that 16 sick people were interviewed. Typical traceback investigation questions were asked.

What did they eat in the week prior to becoming sick? What symptoms did they have? The usual questions.

When signs pointed to Kanishka Cuisine of India, Public Health investigators visited the restaurant.

Kanishka Cuisine of India Restaurant Had Health and Safety Violations

On December 2, 2025, King County Public Health visited the restaurant. While they were there, several problems that could have contributed to the outbreak were noted. Most involving dangerous lack of temperature control.

Including:

• The restaurant did not have the proper equipment or kitchen space to prepare both their regular food service and the additional food for the Fusion Thanksgiving Feast.
• Cooling methods employed may not have brought the food down to a safe temperature, which could have allowed bacteria to grow and toxins to form.
• Some foods were not kept cold enough to stop bacterial toxins from growing.

No sick restaurant workers with signs of gastrointestinal illness were observed at the visit or reported.

According to King County Public Health restaurant safety ratings reports, prior restaurant inspection on September 16, 2025 and consultation/education visit on August 28, 2025 did not identify those issues.

During the visit, Public Health inspectors providing education on safe food cooling and issued a reminder that the restaurant should limit the scale of their food preparation “to what has been approved by Public Health.”

Follow-up Visit ended in Temporary Restaurant Closure

Two days later, on December 4, 2025, Public Health investigators revisited the restaurant to determine if the observed food safety problems had been fixed.

It was not.

“Food was still being cooled improperly and items requiring refrigeration were being kept at room temperature.”

In response to these continued practices that could make people sick, King County Public Health closed the restaurant until such matters can be fixed.

Unsafe food was discarded and staff will be retrained on safe food handling.

While the outbreak appears to be over, King County Public Health says, “the investigation is ongoing.”

What Made People Sick at Kanishka Cuisine of India?

Unfortunately, the specific food responsible for these reported illnesses could not be identified. However, the illnesses correspond to what investigators typically observe with bacterial toxins.

These toxins are produced by bacteria like Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens, which grow quickly when food is left at room temperature. The lapses in temperature control observed at Kanishka Cuisine of India would have contributed to the formation of these toxins, leading to the food poisoning experienced by those who consumed it.

When food is left at room temperature too long or improperly cooled, these bacteria which are naturally found in the environment, can rapidly grow and produce toxins.

Common foods associated with these germs include meats, rice, leftovers, sauces, soups, and other prepared foods.

Refrigeration can help reduce the risk, but it doesn’t eliminate bacteria or spores. Once they reach room temperature again, they pick up where they left off and continue to grow and produce toxins.

Most of the time, contaminated food does not look, smell, or taste any different.

Bacillus cereus

If toxins are produced in the food prior to consumption, the unfortunate person usually begins to vomit within 30 minutes to six hours after eating accompanied by nausea.

If toxins are produced in the body after the food is consumed, diarrheal illness consisting of watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps often happens within six to 15 hours of consuming something contaminated.

Illnesses usually resolve within a day.

Clostridium perfringens

Symptoms usually include diarrhea and stomach cramps. Fever and vomiting are usually not experienced with illnesses associated with this germ.

Most illnesses are resolved within a day. However, severe symptoms can persist for up to two weeks.

Have You Become Sick After Eating the Thanksgiving Fusion Feast from Kanishka Cuisine of India?

If you have become sick after eating the Thanksgiving Fusion Feast from Kanishka Cuisine of India and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!

Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no obligation consultation. Or fill out our online submission form and someone will get back with you shortly.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)