A Salmonella outbreak linked to raw, scraped tuna was that largest multi-state food poisoning outbreak of 2012, based on the total number of people sickened. The outbreak, which was announced in April, sickened 425 people in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
Raw Scraped Tuna
Produced in India and distributed in the US by Moon Marine USA Corporation, the raw, yellowfin tuna product, known as Nakaochi Scrape, is tuna backmeat that is scraped from the bones of tuna. It looks like raw ground tuna and is used in sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and other dishes.
Those sickened ranged in age from less than 1 year to 86 years old. The median age was 30. Sixty percent of case patients were female. At least 55 people were hospitalized. No fatalities were reported.
There were two outbreak strains. Most of the case patients, 410 people, were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bareilly. Another 15 people were infected with the outbreak strain ofSalmonella Nchanga. By state the case counts were as follows. Salmonella Bareilly: Alabama (5), Arkansas (1), California (8), Colorado (1), Connecticut (11), District of Columbia (3), Florida (1), Georgia (20), Illinois (30) Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Louisiana (6), Massachusetts (36), Maryland (39), Missouri (4), Mississippi (2), Nebraska (2), North Carolina (12), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (39), New York (62), Pennsylvania (37), Rhode Island (6), South Carolina (5), Tennessee (4), Texas (14), Virginia (33), Vermont (1), and Wisconsin (24). Salmonella Nchanga: Georgia (2), Maryland (1), New Jersey (3), New York (6), Texas (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (1).
The source of the tainted tuna, Moon Fishery India Pvt Ltd, located in Kerala state, India, was placed on import alert by the US Food and Drug Administration in April. Going forward, shipments from the company can be denied entry to this country if teh company cannot provide evidence of compliance with the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
