Monday, June 28, 2021

Cooked Shrimp Linked to Salmonella Illnesses

The FDA, CDC and state agencies are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Weltevreden infections linked to the consumption of frozen cooked shrimp manufactured by Avanti Frozen Foods of India.  "A positive import sample combined with epidemiological and traceback evidence indicate that this outbreak is linked to frozen cooked shrimp manufactured by Avanti Frozen Foods. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common shipment of shrimp that could have been consumed by ill people."  There have been 6 illnesses with 2 resulting in hospitalization.

Basically, one shipment was found positive for a specific Salmonella strain.  That shipment was destroyed.   A few months later, the specific Salmonella strain was involved in cases of Salmonella.  It was found that these people had eaten shrimp from a common shipment from the same company.  The company has conducted a recall for product.
"On January 26, 2021, an import sample of Avanti Frozen Foods shrimp was collected as a routine part of the FDA’s Imported Seafood Compliance Program. Analysis of the sample showed the presence of Salmonella Weltevreden. At the time, there were no known associated illnesses or closely related isolates of this strain. In March 2021, as a result of the positive test, this shipment was refused admission into the U.S. and was destroyed, and the importing firm was added to Import Alert 16-81, which allows the FDA to detain product without physical examination due to the presence of Salmonella."
In April 2021, three clinical isolates collected from ill people were reported to be closely related to the isolates collected from the import sample. As of June 25, 2021, there are now 6 clinical isolates from ill people that are genetic matches to the Salmonella collected from the import sample. Five of the six ill people were interviewed to determine the foods they ate before becoming sick, and all five ill people report eating shrimp. Based on purchase locations and purchase dates available for four ill people, FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common shipment of shrimp that could have been consumed by ill people. The product from this shipment was all sold thawed at retail. This thawed product is past expiration and no longer available for sale.
[TIP - Buy fresh frozen (not thawed) and cook it yourself, unless you can buy fresh, just caught]


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-weltevreden-shrimp-april-2021
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Weltevreden: Shrimp (April 2021)

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 6
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: April 25, 2021
States with Cases: AZ (2), NV (4)
Product Distribution: Nationwide

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Weltevreden infections linked to the consumption of frozen cooked shrimp manufactured by Avanti Frozen Foods of India.
A positive import sample combined with epidemiological and traceback evidence indicate that this outbreak is linked to frozen cooked shrimp manufactured by Avanti Frozen Foods. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common shipment of shrimp that could have been consumed by ill people. The product from this shipment was all sold thawed at retail and is no longer available for sale. Due to the potential for contamination with Salmonella, on June 25, 2021, Avanti Frozen Foods recalled certain frozen cooked, peeled, deveined shrimp products imported into the U.S. from December 2020 to February 2021. Recalled shrimp were sold under various brand names and package sizes, including shrimp packaged with cocktail sauce. A full list of recalled brands and product information is available in the recall announcement.

The FDA is working with the firm to determine if there are additional shrimp that have been affected and should be recalled. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled shrimp from Avanti Frozen Foods. These products were sold under different names and package sizes and are listed on the FDA recall page so the public can identify the products and discard them if they are in consumers’ homes. Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and distributors should check their refrigerators and freezers and should throw away any recalled shrimp.

Although these items have been recalled, consumers, restaurants, retailers, and distributors that received recalled products should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with the recalled product, to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

FDA recommends that anyone who has symptoms of salmonellosis contact their healthcare professional.

Investigation Background
On January 26, 2021, an import sample of Avanti Frozen Foods shrimp was collected as a routine part of the FDA’s Imported Seafood Compliance Program. Analysis of the sample showed the presence of Salmonella Weltevreden. At the time, there were no known associated illnesses or closely related isolates of this strain. In March 2021, as a result of the positive test, this shipment was refused admission into the U.S. and was destroyed, and the importing firm was added to Import Alert 16-81, which allows the FDA to detain product without physical examination due to the presence of Salmonella.

In April 2021, three clinical isolates collected from ill people were reported to be closely related to the isolates collected from the import sample. As of June 25, 2021, there are now 6 clinical isolates from ill people that are genetic matches to the Salmonella collected from the import sample. Five of the six ill people were interviewed to determine the foods they ate before becoming sick, and all five ill people report eating shrimp. Based on purchase locations and purchase dates available for four ill people, FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common shipment of shrimp that could have been consumed by ill people. The product from this shipment was all sold thawed at retail. This thawed product is past expiration and no longer available for sale.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/avanti-frozen-foods-recalls-frozen-cooked-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk
Avanti Frozen Foods Recalls Frozen Cooked Shrimp Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 25, 2021
FDA Publish Date: June 25, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages Shellfish
Reason for Announcement: Salmonella
Company Name: Avanti Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd
Brand Name: Censea, Hannaford, Open acres, Honest catch, COS and others
Product Description: Frozen shrimp, cooked, peeled and deveined (with some packaged with cocktail sauce)

Company Announcement

Avanti Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd, with an abundance of caution, is recalling certain consignments of various sizes of frozen cooked, peeled, deveined, shrimp (with some packaged with cocktail sauce) sold in various unit sizes, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The frozen shrimp products were distributed nationwide from late December 2020 to late February 2021

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.

The affected product details are as below. The brand names of the products are: Censea/Hannaford/Open acres/Waterfront Bistro/Honest catch/COS/365/Meijer
LIST of PRODUCTS - https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/avanti-frozen-foods-recalls-frozen-cooked-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk

Products not bearing these codes are not affected by or involved in this recall.

There have been 6 reports of Salmonella-related illness to date associated with these cooked shrimp distributions. The potential for contamination was identified by FDA based on its prior testing of frozen cooked shrimp imported by Avanti Frozen Foods that was found to contain Salmonella. Avanti Frozen Foods did not distribute and destroyed that prior shipment found to be violative. The company has taken preventative steps to eliminate the potential for future contamination.

Consumers who have purchased the above product are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at +914023310260/+914023310261, Mon – Fri :10:00 hrs -16:00 hrs , GMT+5.5.

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