Food Safety
More stores added to tuna recall for toxin from improper chilling
5 illnesses reported from scombroid poisoning
Alfa International Seafood Inc. recalled refrigerated yellowfin tuna steaks because they might cause a type of food poisoning from fish that have begun to spoil.
The wild-caught tuna was sold in grocery service counters or in trays in display cases in 16 states, the company announced. The Kroger supermarket chain previously announced a recall of the tuna from its stores for possible scombroid contamination.
Alfa International Seafood, of Medley, Fla., says other stores that sold the tuna were Baker’s, Dillon’s, Gerbes, JayC Food and Payless.
The fish was sold from Aug. 20 through Sept. 7 and had sell by dates between Aug. 29 and Sept. 14.
Five illnesses had been reported by consumers at the time of the recall announcement. When some fish aren’t properly refrigerated they can develop higher levels of histamine that cause the food poisoning, according to the FDA. Symptoms resemble an allergic reaction and usually happen shortly after eating the fish. You might feel tingling in your mouth or have facial swelling, a rash, nausea or vomiting.
“While the company feels these were isolated incidents, it has initiated this voluntary recall to take every precautionary measure when it comes to customers’ health and safety,” Alfa International’s statement says.
The tuna was sold at stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
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People who bought the tuna from Aug. 20 to Sept. 7 shouldn’t eat it. They can return it to the store for a refund.
Anyone with questions may call the company at 855-551-0118 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.
