Tuna Scrape Recall Failed

CDC says outbreak likely over, but recall was ineffective

By Elizabeth Licata, Junior Writer

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Jul 28, 2012 @ 4:27 PM

The "tuna scrape" recall connected with a salmonella outbreak in April appears to have been a failure. While the CDC postulates that the outbreak has ended, many of the victims became sick after April 13, indicating that restaurants and other operations continued to serve the product after it was recalled.

According to Food Safety News, "The outbreak's epidemiological curve shows that a significant number of victims acquired their infections after the April 13 tuna scrape recall, suggesting food establishments continued to serve it for some time following the recall."

The Huffington Post reports that food establishments continued to serve the tainted tuna as recently as two weeks ago.

The recalled tuna scrape came from Cupertino, Calif.-based Moon Marine USA Corporation and was marketed as Nakaochi scrape, but according to Nation’s Restaurant News, the original packaging may have been removed for redistribution, so some foodservice operators might not even know they’re carrying it.

While the CDC said the outbreak seems to be over at this point, it was noted that tuna scrape is a frozen product with a long shelf-life, so additional cases may turn up in the future if foodservice operations are unaware that they’re serving the recalled product.

Tuna scrape is a frozen tuna product that looks chopped but is actually made form scraping the remaining bits and pieces of meat from the bones of tuna after the big pieces have been removed. It’s commonly used in dishes like spicy tuna rolls and ceviche.