Public Health Officials Warning about Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Frozen Tuna

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport linked to frozen, raw ground tuna supplied by Jensen Tuna.
 
Jensen Tuna issued a voluntary recall of its frozen ground tuna, which was individually packaged in one-pound bags and sold in 20-pound boxes.  According to the FDA, it is unlikely that 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. 
 
According to the CDC, 13 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport have been reported from seven states, including one case in Illinois.
 
Symptoms of illness caused by Salmonella may include headache, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, chills, fever, nausea, and dehydration.  If you experience these symptoms 12 to 72 hours after eating ground tuna, contact a health care provider and let them know you have recently eaten ground tuna. 
 

• Do not eat recalled frozen ground tuna.  Even if you do not develop symptoms after eating the recalled tuna, you should still throw it away.
• If you cannot determine if the tuna you purchased was produced by Jensen Tuna, do not eat it and throw it away.  Check your refrigerator and freezer for recalled products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
• Retailers and restaurants should not sell or serve recalled frozen ground tuna products supplied by Jensen Tuna.

 
For more information and updates, go to https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/newport-04-19/index.html and https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm636116.htm.