Visakhapatam, India-headquartered Avanti Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd is recalling shrimp products from a number of retail outlets and wholesalers in the United States due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination. Targeted in the recall are consignments of various sizes and weights of frozen cooked, peeled and deveined (P&D) shrimp (some packaged with cocktail sauce) sold under the Censea, Hannaford, Open Acres, Waterfront Bistro, Honest Catch, COS, 365 and Meijer labels. National distribution took place from December 2020 to February 2021, and packages may have been purchased as late as June 26.
Consumers who have purchased the polytene pouches and tray packs subject to recall are urged not to consume the contents, but to return the shrimp to the place of purchase to receive a full refund.
Thus far there have been six reports of Salmonella-related illness associated with suspected tainted products, limited geographically to Nevada and Arizona. The potential for contamination was identified by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) based on its prior testing of frozen cooked shrimp imported by Avanti Frozen Foods that was found to contain Salmonella. Avanti 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.
Salmonella is 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.
Additional information about the recall is available by telephoning Avanti Frozen Foods in India at +914023310260/+914023310261, Monday – Friday, 1000-1600 GMT+5.5.
