Salmonella-Tainted Tuna Recalled From New York

Frozen, ground tuna shipped to New York has been recalled due to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella illnesses. The outbreak has been linked to Louisiana-based Jensen Tuna and was imported from JK Fish in Vietnam, according to a recall notice posted Tuesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The product was individually packaged in 1-pound bags and sold in 20-pound boxes. At least seven states — Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota and Washington — received the products under lot numbers z266, z271 and z272. More states could’ve also received the product.

Thirteen illnesses have been reported dating from Jan. 8 to March 20. That includes one from New York. Two people had to be hospitalized.

The FDA said it’s unlikely that consumers would’ve bought the tuna directly from a grocery store. It’s more likely to have been sold in restaurants and retailers.

“Consumers who order sushi made with raw tuna, including ‘spicy tuna,’ should ask the restaurant or grocery store if the tuna is from Jensen Tuna,” the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrote on its website. “If you are not sure if the tuna has been recalled, do not eat it.”

Salmonella, a group of bacteria, can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever known as salmonellosis. Symptoms typically develop between 12 hours and three days after infection. This includes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, though more severe cases can lead to high fever, headaches, lethargy, rash, bloody urine or stool and even death. Patients can remain sick for up to a week, though most recover without treatment.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.