Retailers, restaurants, and importers should discard all yellowfin (ahi) tuna from Truong Phu Xanh Co. Ltd., which was linked to scombrotoxin poisoning in the United States. The United Sates Food and Drug Administration also placed the Vietnam-based seafood supplier on Import Alert, because it has not recalled any of the affected tuna, the agency said in a press release.
Forty-seven illnesses and one hospitalization have been reported from 8 August through 15 October.
While recalls were conducted at various points in the supply chain – including Alfa Seafood International’s recall of raw yellowfin tuna steaks from certain Kroger branded stores – there may be additional product on the market, according to the FDA.
The FDA asked for the supplier of yellowfin tuna “associated with most of the illnesses,” Truong Phu Xanh, to initiate a voluntary recall of all of its imported yellowfin tuna with production dates from January 2019 to the present.
“At this time, the firm has not recalled any product,” the FDA said.
Importers, suppliers, and distributors should not use and should discard or destroy any yellowfin tuna imported from Truong Phu Xanh with a production date in 2019, the FDA said. Restaurants and retailers should contact their suppliers to confirm the source of their yellowfin tuna because not all product was distributed in packaging that identifies Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD.
“Yellowfin tuna imported from this company with a production date in 2019 should not be used, served, repacked, or sold; and should be discarded,” the FDA said.
However, the source of the tuna for the illnesses announced by Seattle-King County Public Health Department is not related to Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD.
Photo courtesy of Mrs. Sucharut Chounyoo/Shutterstock
