OSAKA -- The Osaka Municipal Government ordered Snow Brand Milk Products Co. to halt operations at its Osaka factory, where processed low-fat milk has been found responsible for sickening nearly 7,000 people.
The decision followed the Osaka Prefectural Government's announcement earlier in the day that its researchers have detected staphylococcus aureus bacteria in low-fat milk produced at the factory, confirming the source of a mass food-poisoning case in the Kansai area.
The municipal government said that operations at the factory in Miyakojima Ward will be suspended for unspecified period of time until its safety is ensured.