The outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate_(+) and Salmonella Weltevreden infections linked to frozen raw tuna may be over, but this product has a long shelf life and could still be in freezers, both in consumers’ homes and in restaurants. The CDC has advice about this product and the outbreak.
Retailers should not sell of serve any of the recalled frozen tuna products from one processing plant in Indonesia. It was imported by Osamu Corporation, sold throughout the U.S., and was recalled. All frozen tuna, including loin, saku, chunk, slice, and ground market forms, with the four digit purchase order numbers 8563 through 8599 are recalled. They were sold from May 9, 2014 to July 9, 2015.
In addition, one lot of frozen yellowfin tuna chunk meat distributed to AFC Corporation for use in sushi franchises in grocery stores was recalled. It was sold from May 20, 2015 to May 26, 2015. That product has lot number 68568.
If you don’t know the lot number of frozen tuna that is stored in your freezer, contact the retailer or distributor. When in doubt, don’t sell, serve, or eat it.
The CDC also says that some consumers should not eat any raw fish or raw shellfish regardless of an ongoing outbreak. Those groups include children under the age of 5, adults older than 65, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses and weakened immune systems.
If you have eaten raw tuna and have experienced the symptoms of a Salmonella infection, see your doctor. Those symptoms include diarrhea that may be bloody, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
The outbreak has sickened 65 people in 11 states. Eleven people have been hospitalized as a result of their illnesses. Three rare isolates have been collected from ill persons; one isolate was resistant to the antibiotic ampicillin.
