Relish Foods, Inc Recalls Frozen Tuna Loins Because of Possible Health Risk

On October 13, 2017, Relish Foods, Inc of Culver City, California voluntarily initiated the recall of Frozen Newport Brand Tuna Loins. The recall was the result of sampling by FDA which revealed that the product has potential to contain the bacteria Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. Relish Foods Inc is continuing the investigation with FDA as to what caused the problem.

Product was distributed in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona states between 8/15/2017 and 9/25/2017, through food service operations, retail stores, and restaurants. Product was distributed as 5 to 8 pound, vacuum packed, frozen whole tuna loins packed in 30 pound Newport brand master cases. Master cases are labeled with the production lot codes of MTNT 0947C, MTNT 0957B, MTNT 0967A, and MTNT 0977D.

On the retail side this product would have been distributed to retailers Basha’s, Randall’s Fine Meats, Yokes Fresh Market, CalMart, Raley’s, Concord Produce Market, Bel Air Market and Speedy Market and Nob Hill.

Product was distributed to the following retail locations and may have been sold in an unbranded form:

Product from the recalled lots will have been displayed at their seafood departments where the product sold is likely to have been sold as steak loins or pieces of loins on a tray with clear plastic wrap cover. It may also have been sold out of the fresh case and wrapped in “butcher paper” to the customer’s order. 

Consumers concerned about whether the tuna they purchased may contain the recalled tuna loin product should check with the store where they purchased the tuna. That store will be able to determine if it used the recalled product to prepare the tuna. At this time Relish Foods does not believe that the recalled product made with the recalled product is available for purchase by consumers.

Customers who have purchased the Frozen Tuna Loin (from Yellow Fin tuna) are urged to return it to the distributor for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-730-3875, Mondays through Fridays, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. (PDT).

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