Frozen tuna recalled after salmonella outbreak linked to sushi
A widespread salmonella outbreak linked to raw tuna in sushi has infected 62 people in 11 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths have been reported, but 11 ill people have been hospitalized.
The outbreak was linked to frozen yellowfin tuna from an Osamu Corporation processing plant in Indonesia, the CDC reports.
"Most ill people in the outbreak reported eating sushi made with raw tuna in the week before becoming sick," according to a statement on the CDC's website.
Earlier this week, Osamu Corporation announced two voluntary recalls of its products, including all frozen tuna and one lot of frozen yellowfin tuna chunk meat sold to restaurants and grocery stores throughout the United States.
The CDC recommends restaurants and retailers avoid serving or selling the affected products, which can be identified by the four-digit purchase order on the cartons of the boxes of frozen tuna (numbers 8563 through 8599). The recalled frozen yellowfin tuna chunk meat is labeled with lot number 68568.
Symptoms of salmonella typically include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps which begin 12 to 72 hours after an exposure. People at higher risk for serious foodborne illness, including young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, should avoid eating raw fish or raw shellfish, regardless of whether there's an outbreak going on, the CDC cautions.
If you think you have been infected with salmonella, drink plenty of fluids and see your doctor. Most people recover in about a week, but those with severe symptoms may need to be hospitalized.
