Salmonella Bareilly Outbreak Linked to Ground Tuna, Resulting in Voluntary Recall

To follow up to our April 13, 2012 blog post, the Center for Disease Control ("CDC") has identified a frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, known as Nakaochi Scrape, from the Moon Marine USA Corporation as a potential source of the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak that has affected 116 persons from 20 states and the District of Columbia.

Nakaochi Scrape is tuna backmeat that is scraped from the bones of tuna and looks like raw ground tuna and may be used in sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and similar dishes available in restaurants and grocery stores.

Interviews by local and state health departments suggested consumption of sushi made with raw tuna as a source of the salmonella infections. 53 interviewed persons reported eating sushi and other seafood in the seven days before they were interviewed, with the majority reporting eating a sushi item containing tuna.

Although this study is still ongoing, the Moon Marine USA Corporation is voluntarily recalling 58,828 pounds of their frozen yellowfin tuna product as a result of the association with the salmonella infections. The FDA press release can be read in full here.

Dreyer Boyajian LLP represents victims of food-borne illnesses such as salmonella infections. If you or someone you know has been so affected, contact our office for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.