Salmonella Fish Outbreak

More than 30 people have been confirmed sick in an outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield infections traced to fresh raw salmon according to the FDA and CDC. The source of the contamination is believed to be from Marisco Bahia Inc.’s Pico Rivera, CA, facility. Here is everything we know about the Salmonella Fish Outbreak:

About the Salmonella Fish Outbreak

Of the 33 patients, 16 have completed interviews with health officials and 12 of those reported eating sushi, sashimi, or poke. Thirteen of the 33 patients have been so sick that they had to be admitted to hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition, the FDA collected an environmental sample that included multiple swabs at Mariscos Bahia, Inc. (Pico Rivera, CA). Multiple environmental swabs collected at the facility are positive for Salmonella and subsequent Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis is ongoing. The WGS completed to date indicates the Salmonella detected in at least one of the swabs from the facility matches the outbreak strain. While epidemiological evidence indicates that ill people consumed fresh, raw salmon processed at this firm, the presence of Salmonella in the processing environment indicates that additional types of fish processed in the same area of the facility could also be contaminated which includes fresh, raw halibut, Chilean seabass, tuna, and swordfish. Salmon, halibut, Chilean seabass, tuna, or swordfish processed in Marisco Bahia Inc.’s Pico Rivera, CA, facility could have also been sent to the Mariscos Bahia, Inc. facilities in Phoenix, AZ and then sent to restaurants.

The firm initiated a voluntary recall on October 20, 2022. As a result, the firm has contacted direct customers who received recalled product. A full list of recalled products is below.

Dates of Illnesses

 

Salmonella Fish Outbreak Recall

On October 20, 2022, Mariscos Bahia, Inc. voluntarily recalled the following list of fresh (not frozen) fish: fresh salmon fillet, fresh deep skin salmon fillet, fresh salmon portions, Chilean seabass (fillet and portions), halibut (fillet and portions), tuna (fillet and portions), swordfish (loin, fillet, and wheel). The firm began shipping recalled product on June 14, 2022. Businesses should not sell or serve recalled fish.

The recall includes:

• Fresh Salmon Fillet
• Fresh Deep Skin Salmon Fillet
• Fresh Salmon Portions
• Chilean Seabass (Fillet and Portions)
• Halibut (Fillet and Portions)
• Tuna (Fillet and Loin)
• Swordfish (Loin, Fillet, and Wheel)

According to Mariscos Bahia, Inc., seafood was only sold directly to restaurants in California and Arizona and would not be available for purchase by consumers in stores.

Restaurants should check with their suppliers and not sell or serve recalled salmon, halibut, Chilean seabass, tuna, or swordfish received fresh, not frozen, from Mariscos Bahia, Inc. (Pico Rivera, CA, and Phoenix, AZ) on or after June 14, 2022. If restaurants received these fish and then froze it, they should not sell or serve it. Restaurants should also be sure to wash and sanitize locations where these fish from Mariscos Bahia, Inc. were stored or prepared.

Keeping Yourself Safe

• In general, people who are at higher risk for serious foodborne illness should not eat any raw fish or raw shellfish. People at higher risk include children younger than 5 years, pregnant people, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up