In an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted July 22, 62 people became infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) have been reported from 11 states.
NBC New York is reporting the Osamu Corporation is voluntarily recalling all its yellowfin tuna sourced from a processor in Indonesia after the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) discovered the outbreak strain of Salmonella in sealed bags of frozen raw tuna.
The outbreak strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) bacteria, formerly known as Salmonella Java, causes an illness that typically includes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after an exposure. The discovery of the Salmonella strain in Minnesota on July 14, came after two state residents became ill after eating spicy tuna rolls purchased at a grocery store and a workplace cafeteria.
CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System(NARMS) laboratory did microbial resistance studies on the clinical isolates from three people sickened in this outbreak, and of the isolates tested, one was resistant to ampicillin and two were susceptible to all antibiotics tested on the NARMS panel.
Yellowfin tuna first recalled in California in May 2015
The affected tuna was sold to AFC, a sushi-making company in California. They in turn distributed the products to grocery stores and restaurants nationwide between May 20 and 26.
Of interest is a California Department of Public Health bulletin issued by the state on May 27, 2015. In the bulletin, Ground Frozen Yellow Fin Tuna is being recalled by the Osamu Corporation, based in Gardenia, Calif. Also included is another recall notification, with the date of the recall listed as N/A, but for Ground frozen yellow fin tuna, lot numbers 88569 and 98569, issued for Arizona and Calif.
For a listing of tri-state retailers who work with AFC, click here. The FDA says if anyone has concerns about purchasing tainted tuna, to check with their retailer. Osamu said it doesn’t think any of the contaminated tuna is still available.
