The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about mussels harvested from Allen’s Fisheries in Benoits Cove, Newfoundland, Canada.
The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell mussels from Allen’s Fisheries that were harvested on 7 February 2024, with a final harvest date of 18 February, from harvest area AQ #15 Newfoundland because they may contain pathogen or biotoxin contamination.
The mussels were shipped to distributors in the U.S. states of Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania on or around 21 February. They may have been distributed to other states as well, the FDA advised.
The warning stemmed from a report from the New Jersey Department of Health, which alerted the FDA of an outbreak of illness in the state associated with mussel consumption. The victims’ symptoms included nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
“The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the mussels and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed,” the administration said. As new information becomes available, the FDA will update the safety alert.
This is not the first 2024 seafood warning the FDA has issued. In January, the administration reported a norovirus outbreak in San Diego, California, U.S.A. due to contaminated Mexican-origin oysters.
Elsewhere, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling Star Fresh brand frozen fish balls, warning those who might have a related allergy that the product has an undeclared egg as part of its ingredient list. The product was distributed in the province of Ontario.
