A SUSHI bar that was reviewed by a TikTok food critic has dramatically closed its locations.
Bosses at Fob Sushi suddenly shuttered restaurants in Seattle days after the review went viral.
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Last week, TikToker Keith Lee, who boasts 16.7million followers on the platform, reviewed an array of products from the restaurant chain in Seattle.
He was trying some sashimi and ranked it an 8.5 out of 10, but something else appeared to catch viewers’ eyes.
Viewers claimed that there was a worm in the product after spotting something that looked like a tail.
Concerned fans were quick to ask if Lee was healthy.
“Keith Lee, are you okay?” one distressed viewer said.
“Why was it moving?” another fan wrote as they pointed out to the so-called tail.
Others begged Lee, a married father of two, to share a follow-up video on his health.
Fob Sushi bosses were quick to issue an update and stressed that claims of worms found in the dish were false.
“At Fob Sushi, we are committed to upholding the highest health and safety standards to provide clean, fresh, and safe food for every customer,” a statement shared on Instagram said.
They stressed that all seafood products are sourced from trusted suppliers, and the chain ensures items comply with safety measures.
Bosses also offered an explanation of why there seemed to be movement in the product.
They attributed the cause to either chopsticks being applied or natural elasticity.
“We want to assure our customers that this is not indicative of worms or any health concerns,” they said.
The company slammed the speculation, warning: “Rumors like this can harm small businesses, so we’re addressing it head-on.”
TAKING ACTION
Just days after issuing the statement, chiefs went a step further.
In a second statement, They announced that locations in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, had been closed until further notice.
The spokesperson said health and safety remain the company’s highest priorities.
“We remain dedicated to providing you with the highest quality sushi,” they added.
Fob has sushi bars and restaurants across Washington state.
Meanwhile, Lee has been an internet sensation for several years and is known for trying out food from small businesses and restaurants.
Fob Sushi full statement
CHIEFS at Fob Sushi have dramatically announced restaurant closures after Keith Lee’s viral video.
“Dear Valued Customers,
“In response to recent food safety concerns, we have decided to close our Fob Sushi locations in Seattle and Bellevue until further notice.
“Your health and safety are our highest priorities.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation to address the situation and will take all necessary measures to prevent it from happening again.
“To our community, we are deeply grateful for your years of support and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
“We remain dedicated to providing you with the highest quality sushi.”
Source: Fob Sushi
He has since confirmed he’s healthy.
It comes just months after he caused a stir while visiting restaurants in Washington DC and Maryland over the summer.
He visited around 12 restaurants but only posted three reviews.
But, he came under fire for apparently not visiting the area’s more population locations.
Lee stressed that he had visited establishments that had been recommended and had done a lot of research beforehand.
Lee has more than two million followers on Instagram.
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