The FDA has updated its information about the risk of hepatitis A in frozen tuna products distributed by Hilo Fish Company. That facility alerted its customers and distribution partners at that time to let them know about the voluntary recall issued on May 18, 2017. The FDA is working with Hilo and other distributors to make sure that the tuna is removed from the market and is not sold or served to consumers.
The table that names the establishments that may have sold the tuna has been updated to include more facilities. You can see that table, which affects restaurants and stores in California, Texas, and Oklahoma, at the FDA web site.
The recall is for frozen yellowfin tuna steaks sourced from Sustainable Seafood Company and yellowfin tuna cubes sourced from Santa Cruz Seafood. They were distributed by Hilo Fish Company.
Restaurants and retailers need to make sure they do not have any of this product. They should have received a notice from Hilo Fish Company, since it is their responsibility to inform their customers about this recall. If any businesses served this recalled product, they should contact their local health department and notify customers about possible exposure to hepatitis A. Any company that has questions about this recall or has some of the recalled tuna and did not receive a notice should call the FDA.
Anyone who ate this product within the last two weeks can get a post exposure prophylaxis shot to prevent the illness. If someone ate the product more than two weeks ago, they can no longer get a vaccination; they must monitor themselves for the symptoms of hepatitis A and see their doctor if they develop.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, and clay colored stools. Symptoms may not appear for 50 days after exposure to the pathogenic virus.
The CDC is not aware of any illnesses that have been linked to this product. The tuna in question was imported from Vietnam and the Philippines. The FDA is increasing screening and testing for seafood that is imported by companies in these two countries.
