Important Tuna Recall

This morning I was looking at the news and found an article about a tuna recall. As you know people, especially pregnant women, need to keep an eye on the news for public health and food issues. 

Today the FDA has recalled some frozen tuna because it has hepatitis A in it. The FDA recommends that people exposed to this fish get a Hepatitis A vaccine if they are between 1-40 years of age, or a immunoglobulin shot if they are outside of that range. 

Frozen Tuna is in sushi. And you can get it in restaurants. This tuna was shipped to restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma, and California. It was sent to New York State but not distributed there yet. 

This tuna comes from Philippines and Vietnam. It comes via a Hawaii based imported called Hilo Fish Company. 

Once again I wouldn't want to impugn the Hilo Fish company. They should be awarded for checking the fish and cooperating with the recall. It is the fish companies that don't test that we need to be alert for.  I have seen really giant tunas that caught by recreational fishers. These big tunas get distributed immediately to sushi shops. That kind of distribution is what we want to worry about. 

So for now, don't eat any frozen or uncooked tuna, and check the FDA's web site for further news and lot numbers, etc. This tuna was dated April and October apparently. 

I am not aware if cooking the tuna adequately will sterilize the Hepatitis A, but certainly it cannot be eaten raw or undercooked. Unfortunately I really like sushi. 

Thanks 

Dr John Marcus 

89 North Maple Ave 

Ridgewood NJ. 

Blog at doctorjohnmarcus.blogspot.com