The recall process began with the the Hawaii Department of Health alerting the FDA, on May 1, that a sample of frozen tuna cubes tested positive for hepatitis A. The tuna came from a company originating in Indonesia. This led, according to the website Bioexpert, the FDA to contact the Tropic Fish Hawaii LLC, which is a subsidiary distributor of Hilo Fish Company, to acquire additional information.
The recall by Tropic Fish includes lot codes 609149 and 609187.
Following this, FDA Medwatch reports, on May 18, the Hilo Fish Company began recalling tuna obtained from Sustainable Seafood Company and Santa Cruz Seafood, Inc. This incident was followed up by a revised recall was issued by the FDA on June 6, 2017, following a new report from the Hawaii Department of Health. This report detailed that a frozen tuna sample, sourced from PT Deho Canning Co. was positive for the same virus.
In parallel, USA Today notes, Hilo Fish examined products that held in their cold storage facility. These were sourced from Sustainable Seafood Company and Santa Cruz Seafood. Laboratory testing found that these products were positive for hepatitis A. The products had been distributed to several retailers but there was no indication they had been sold to the public. However it remains that any unvaccinated person who consumed recalled frozen tuna is at risk of contracting the hepatitis A virus.
This recall by Hilo Fish Company includes Tuna Steaks, 8 oz. individually vacuum packed bags, production date code: 627152, Lot number: 166623; Expiration date: 2018-10-01 and Frozen Yellowfin tuna cubes, random; Individually vacuum packed; 15 lb. case, date code: 705342, Lot number: 173448; Expiration dates: 2019-04-01.
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Many cases have few or no symptoms; however, when symptoms occur they can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, fever, and abdominal pain. The biggest risk is with acute liver failure which can sometimes, albeit rarely, occur. The virus is spread primarily by eating food or drinking water contaminated with infected feces.
