CONTACTS:
Jim Dick, DATCP (608) 513-8950
Stephanie Smiley, DHS (608) 260-5196
“Nakaochi Scrape” from Moon Marine USA Corporation of Cupertino, California is voluntarily recalled due to health risk
MADISON—Moon Marine USA Corporation (also known as MMI) of Cupertino, California is voluntarily recalling 58,828 lbs of a frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, labeled as Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA.
The product has been linked to an on-going investigation of Salmonella Bareilly infections that have sickened 116 people in 20 states and the District of Columbia.
Nakaochi Scrape is tuna backmeat, which is specifically scraped off from the bones, and looks like a ground product. The product is not available for sale to individual consumers, but may have been used to make sushi, sashimi, ceviche and similar dishes available in restaurants and grocery stores.
The raw yellowfin tuna product may have passed through several distributors before reaching the restaurant and grocery market, and may not be marked with lot information. Distributors and end users should consult their suppliers to determine the origin of any Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA in their possession.
Advice to consumers:
· Consumers should not eat the recalled product, and retailers should not serve the recalled raw Nakaochi Scrape tuna product from Moon Marine USA Corporation.
· Because raw seafood is not fully cooked to assure that pathogens are destroyed, it is not considered as “safe” as cooked seafood.
· Consumers should take precautions when choosing to eat raw seafood and be sure that the Nakaochi Scrape is not from the implicated lots. When in doubt, don’t eat it.
· Consumers who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated raw Nakaochi Scrape should consult their health care providers. Many of the people who became ill reported eating raw tuna in sushi as “spicy tuna.”
DHS, DATCP, and local health department officials in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Fond du Lac counties have been collaborating with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly infections and identify the source of the Salmonella. Since February, a total of 14 Wisconsin residents have had laboratory-confirmed Salmonella Bareilly infections that match the DNA fingerprint of the national outbreak strain. Three of the 14 patients were hospitalized and all of the patients have recovered from their infection.
County – Cases
Milwaukee – 6
Washington – 1
Waukesha – 7
Total – 14
Health officials continue to monitor for additional cases and have supported the national investigation by interviewing patients regarding their food histories and other exposures and using this information to conduct a trace back of food consumed by ill individuals from the point of consumption through the distribution chain to its source.
State health officials advise consumers to contact their doctor if they believe they became ill from eating potentially contaminated food. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, which typically lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 8 to 72 hours and some individuals may experience vomiting. Bloodstream infections are infrequent, but can be serious, particularly in the very young or elderly.
Since the organism is passed in the feces, and person-to-person spread of the bacteria is possible, people should follow proper hand washing methods. People should always carefully wash their hands with plenty of soap and water after bowel movements, and before and after food preparation. Parents should stress proper hand washing habits to their children. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol hand sanitizer.
For more information about salmonellosis, visit:
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/factsheets/Salmonellosis.htm
For updates on the national outbreak, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bareilly-04-12/index.html
To read the FDA press release about the recall and for information about the recalled raw tuna, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm300397.htm
