The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published a warning against distribution and consumption of East River Shellfish Inc. cultured mussels on the 30th of August, 2023. According to the official announcement, the mussels are being recalled from the public due to concern of possible contamination with E. coli and Salmonella bacteria, which could… “cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli may look, smell, and taste normal.”
It was on the 21st of August, 2023 when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency discovered, during a routine testing of the mussel meats, high levels of Salmonella and E. coli presence. Two days later, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported their findings to the United States Food & Drug Administration. Both Food Safety establishments are actively working to discover the root cause of the mussel contamination and further investigate the situation.
The affected mussel meats harvested and sold by East River Shellfish Inc. were reportedly gathered on the 14th of August, 2023. The mussels were shipped to various restaurants and retailers in New York, Illinois and Masscahusetts, beginning on the date of August 15th, 2023. They were harvested from the East River Shellfish Inc.’s harvest location “PE 4-C”.
Whether a retailer, a restaurant owner or a consumer, all individuals in possession of the recalled East River Shellfish Inc. Mussels should strictly avoid consumption. According to the United States Food & Drug Administration, if consumed raw, contaminated mussels such as the above-listed, may cause Salmonellosis-induced “…diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.” Similarly, some E. coli infections from contaminated mussels may cause, “…severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.”
If experiencing any of these symptoms, individuals should immediately contact a healthcare provider, and be sure to alert their local, public health safety officials.
