Three Cases of Scombroid Illnesses at I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue

Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on August 19, 2026

I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue was recently inspected by King County Public Health following reports of scombroid illnesses. Findings during this inspection indicated potentially contributing circumstances that could have led to these reactions.

Namely, temperature control.

How many people have become sick and could there have been more? What is scombroid illness and how is it caused?

Here’s what we know so far about scombroid illnesses at I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue.

Scombroid Illnesses at I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue

At least three people have been linked to scombroid illnesses associated with I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue. The restaurant, located at 23 Lake Bellevue Dr. in Bellevue, Washington. Fortunately, no one was hospitalized and no deaths were associated with this cluster of illnesses. However, it is possible there are more unreported illnesses.

According to reports, three people reported becoming sick after eating food from I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue on July 13, 2026.

Sick people reported one or more symptoms, including flushing, rapid heart rate, headache, palpitations (racing/skipping heartbeat), rash, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, abdominal cramps, itching, and dry mouth.

Based on interview information and visits to the restaurant, King County Public Health indicated this scombroid poisoning outbreak was likely caused by eating tuna and albacore from I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue.

Health Violations at I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue

Shortly before the scombroid outbreak, I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue received minor health violations during a routine inspection. They were given a “satisfactory” rating. This rating was updated to “unsatisfactory” on July 31, 2026

May 11, 2026 Inspection

On May 11, 2026, these violations involved a few sanitation issues. Things like food contact surface materials and cleaning, as well as their ware washing facilities.

July 31, 2026 Inspection

On July 31, 2026, the inspection was not quite satisfactory. Some of the violations from the previous inspection were not resolved. King County Public Health found that they were not keeping food (including fish) properly refrigerated.

Public Health says “this could have contributed to” these illnesses.

The following health violations were reported:

• Food and nonfood surfaces properly used and constructed; cleanable (often involves porous or damaged/uncleanable surfaces like damaged cutting boards or wood paneling)
• Hands washed as required (often noted if a food worker is observed to not wash hands at required steps)
• Proper cold holding temperatures, between 42 to 45 °F (cold foods must be kept cold and outside of the “danger zone”)
• Proper thawing methods used (improper thawing can lead to parts of food reaching the danger zone before other parts, causing bacterial growth)
• Proper ill worker and conditional employee practices; no ill workers present; proper reporting of illnesses (either a sick food worker was noticed/reported during the inspection or proper protocols are not established at the restaurant)
• Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and use (any of the listed issues with ware washing facilities can spread foodborne illness)
• Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures

After the inspection, King County Public Health provided I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue with education on how to correct their food safety problems and “emphasized the importance of notifying Public Health whenever they learn of customers who become sick after eating at their restaurant.”

August 12, 2026 Inspection

By the August 12 reinspection, Public Health confirmed that food safety problems had been resolved.

What is Scombroid Poisoning?

Scombroid poisoning is the illness caused by scombrotoxin (a type of histamine) formation often occurring during the degradation of certain types of fish. Time and temperature abuse often from improper storage, refrigeration, or thawing.

Tuna and mahi-mahi, along with other fish species are commonly associated with this illness.

Common symptoms include:

• Tingling or burning in or around the mouth or throat
• Rash or hives on the upper body
• Drop in blood pressure
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Itching of the skin
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Asthmatic-like constriction of air passage
• Heart palpitations
• Respiratory distress

These symptoms typically begin anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after consumption and can last from 12 hours to a few days.

Scombroid Poisoning is Often Misdiagnosed

Fish containing dangerous levels of scombroid-causing histamines often look, smell, and taste normal. So reporting fish consumption as a possible cause of the allergic reaction is often overlooked. To complicate matters even further, these histamines are heat stable. Cooking, freezing, canning, smoking, or other heat treatments will not degrade present histamines.

Outbreak Is Over, But Are There More Cases?

King County Public Health has concluded that “the outbreak appears to be over, and our investigation is complete.” But could there be more cases?

Mondays may be a slow day for restaurants, but it is unlikely that only three people consumed potentially tainted fish at the restaurant that day.

Most cases of foodborne illness go unreported, as sometimes symptoms are mild and do not require medical attention. Other times, symptoms are resolved before the person is able to make it to their healthcare provider, or they do not have insurance and are unlikely to seek treatment unless severe symptoms develop.

Have You Been Impacted by Scombroid Poisoning from I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue?

If you have been impacted by scombroid poisoning from I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue, you may not be alone. In addition to the three reports of illnesses, you could be among others who have yet to come forward.

For those seriously impacted by scombroid poisoning from I Love Sushi on Lake Bellevue, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Food Poisoning Lawyer that can help.

Medical bills, lost wages, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness add up. The Lange Law Firm helps hold those responsible for foodborne illness accountable. Improper temperature control of temperature sensitive seafood, improper ware washing facilities, and improper handwashing can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses. Each with preventable solutions following established food safety practices.

Reach out by calling (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your situation with you to help determine if you have a legal case.

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