2015 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Frozen Raw Tuna – Consumer Advice
This investigation is over; however, the recalled frozen tuna has a long shelf life and may still be in freezers. Restaurants and retailers unaware of the recalls could continue to serve and sell sushi made with recalled frozen tuna and people could get sick. Read the Advice to Restaurants, Retailers, and Consumers.
Advice to Restaurants & Retailers
Do not sell or serve any of the recalled frozen tuna products from one processing plant in Indonesia imported by Osamu Corporation. The products include:
- All frozen tuna (loin, saku, chunk, slice, and ground market forms) sold to restaurants and grocery stores throughout the U.S. from May 9, 2014 to July 9, 2015.
- Affected products can be identified by four-digit purchase order numbers (PO#) 8563 through 8599 located on each product carton box.
- If restaurants and retailers do not know the PO# of frozen tuna in their freezer, contact the distributor. When in doubt, don’t sell or serve it.
- One lot of frozen yellowfin tuna chunk meat distributed to AFC Corporation for use in sushi franchises in grocery stores throughout the U.S. from May 20, 2015 to May 26, 2015.
- The affected lot can be identified by lot number 68568.
- If restaurants and retailers do not know the lot number of frozen tuna in their freezer, contact the distributor. When in doubt, don’t sell or serve it.
Carefully check your establishment’s freezers for recalled products. Return recalled products to the distributor for a refund.
- The products are frozen and have a long shelf life.
- Restaurants and retailers with questions can contact Osamu Corporation at 1-310-849-8881, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm PDT.
Advice to Consumers
People at higher risk for serious foodborne illness should not eat any raw fish or raw shellfish, regardless of an ongoing outbreak. These groups include:
- Children younger than 5 years
- Adults older than 65
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
Contact your health care provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw tuna sushi.
- Most people infected with Salmonella develop the following signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps