News

Restaurant-distributed ground tuna possible source of Salmonella sicknesses

May 10, 2019

Federal, state and local health authorities are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Newport linked to frozen ground tuna sold to restaurants from Jensen Tuna and originally sourced from JK Fish of Vietnam. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the tuna should not be sold or served to customers, according to a news release.  

Any restaurant or retailer who has or had the product should wash and sanitize locations where the recalled ground tuna was stored or prepared. The FDA said that it's doubtful any of the recalled ground tuna was sold directly to consumers in grocery stores, rather, it was likely used in food dishes sold by restaurants or retailers. 

Federal authorities said consumers concerned they may have eaten the recalled product should ask restaurant operators whether the tuna dish they purchased contains the recalled ground tuna. Jensen Tuna distributed the recalled tuna in 1-pound bags and 20-pound boxes under lot numbers z266, z271 and z272 in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, but product could have been redistributed to other states.

Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Restaurants that have or have had the product in-restaurant should: 

• Contact their local health department.
• Tell customers regarding possible exposure to Salmonella.
• Wash and sanitize every area and items that may have contacted the product.
• Wash and sanitize hands after doing the previous action. 

Authorities talked to those who have become ill after eating the tuna, and collected and analyzed information that allowed them to identify frozen ground tuna as a possible source of illness. The FDA worked with state partners to trace the distribution of frozen ground tuna from individual case patients back to Jensen Tuna.