CDC Food Safety Alert: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Frozen, Raw Tuna

A CDC food safety alert about a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to frozen, raw ground tuna has been posted at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/newport-04-19/index.html.

Key points:

• CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to frozen, raw ground tuna supplied by Jensen Tuna.
• On April 15, 2019, Jensen Tuna recalled frozen, raw ground tuna, which was individually packaged in one-pound bags and sold in 20-pound boxes under lot numbers z266, z271, and z272.
• Jensen Tuna distributed product to all the states where ill people were reported, but recalled product might have been redistributed to additional states.
• A total of 13 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from seven states (CT, IA, IL, MN, ND, NY, WA).
• Two people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
• Illnesses started from January 8, 2019, to March 20, 2019.
• This investigation is ongoing. CDC will provide updates when more information is available.

Advice to consumers, retailers, and restaurants:

• Restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve recalled frozen, raw ground tuna from Jensen Tuna Inc.
• If restaurants and retailers do not know if the frozen ground tuna they have is recalled, contact the distributor. When in doubt, don’t sell or serve it.
• Consumers who order sushi made with raw tuna, including “spicy tuna,” should ask the restaurant or grocery store if the tuna is supplied by Jensen Tuna.
• If you are not sure if the tuna has been recalled, do not eat it.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw tuna sushi.
• Check FDA’s website for a full list of where recalled products were sold.
• In general, people who are at higher risk for serious foodborne illness should not eat any raw fish or raw shellfish. People at higher risk include children younger than 5 years, pregnant women, adults older than 65 years, and people with weakened immune systems.

About Salmonella:

• Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
• More information is at https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonella-food/index.html.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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