Frozen tuna linked to a recalled salmonella epidemic

Two government agencies are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections related to frozen raw tuna and advising consumers to be cautious about their sushi orders.

Both the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration published an advisory on Louisiana-based Jensen Tuna frozen tuna after 13 people in seven states reported illness and that two of them had been hospitalized.

In response to inquiries, Jensen Tuna announced the voluntary recall of tuna sold in 20-pound boxes distributed in restaurants and stores in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York , North Dakota and Washington. The lot numbers of the recalled tuna are: z266, z271 and z272.

The recalled fish comes from JK Fish, Vietnam, and the notice indicates that no other tuna product is affected or part of the recall.

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Frozen raw tuna can be used in some sushi, including spicy tuna. The CDC advises consumers to ask stores and restaurants where tuna comes from before ordering.

"If you're not sure that the tuna has been recalled, do not eat it," says the CDC.

The FDA notice indicated that it was unlikely that consumers would have bought recalled tuna in the freezer aisle and that it "was probably used in dishes sold by restaurants or retailers ".

"Restaurants and retailers should check with their suppliers and not sell or serve the ground tuna recalled by Jensen Tuna," the statement said. "They must also be careful to wash and disinfect the places where the recalled ground tuna has been stored or prepared."

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, and they usually develop 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated product, according to the CDC.

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