Following last month’s recall of 58,828 pounds of a frozen raw yellowfin tuna product (Nakaochi Scrape) by Moon Marine USA Corporation, the FDA announced today that Moon Fishery (India) Pvt. Ltd. is recalling additional Nakaochi Scrape due to Salmonella-contamination risk.
Moon Fisheries, the manufacturer of the previously recalled Nakaochi Scrape is recalling its 22 pound cases of “Tuna Strips” Product of India AA or AAA GRADE because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Moon India became aware of the problem after the FDA sampled tuna strips from a lot not yet in distribution. However as a cautionary measure Moon India agreed to recall tuna strips that were already distributed, none of which is from the suspect lot sampled by FDA. Distribution of these AA or AAA Grade Tuna Strips Product of India is limited to 4 wholesalers: one in Georgia, one in Massachusetts, one in New Jersey and one in New York.
The wholesalers may have broken the shipments into smaller lots for further distribution. The frozen raw yellow fin tuna product was originally packaged in white boxes with black writing naming the importer as Moon Marine USA Corporation, a separate and independent company, and identifying the contents as Tuna Strips AA or AAA, Product of India. The boxes contain several vacuum-wrapped packages with no further labeling.
On May 4, the Salmonella attorneys at Marler Clark filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Portland man who contracted a Salmonella infection after consuming sushi contaminated with Salmonella serotype Bareilly. According to a complaint (#cv-00794) filed in Oregon Federal District Court, Chris Fronzak, lead singer for the heavy metal band Attila, consumed a spicy tuna roll containing Nakaochi Scrape at a Metairie, Louisiana restaurant while his band was on tour. Within two days, Mr. Fronzak began to experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, headache, and muscle aches. After six days of attempting self-care without any improvement, Mr. Fronzak, who was without health insurance, was taken to the emergency room for treatment. While in the ER, a sample was taken that would ultimately test positive for Salmonella. The complaint alleges Mr. Fronzak suffered physically, emotionally, and economically.