ficials say frozen raw tuna, or ahi cubes, sold at a dozen grocery stores and eateries on Oahu is being recalled after it tested positive for hepatitis A.
ficials say frozen raw tuna, or ahi cubes, sold at a dozen grocery stores and eateries on Oahu is being recalled after it tested positive for hepatitis A.
The state Department of Health said Tuesday the product distributed by Tropic Fish Hawaii LLC and imported from Indonesia was used to prepare poke sold between April 27 and May 1 at several Oahu locations.
Customers who consumed the ahi and are not vaccinated for hepatitis A are urged to contact a doctor.
The possibly tainted fish was delivered to Times Supermarket and Shima’s in Aiea, Kailua, Kaneohe, Kunia, Liliha, Mililani, Waipahu and Waimanalo. It was also used to prepare food delivered to GP Hawaiian Food Catering, the Crab Shack Kapolei (also known as Maile Sunset Bar & Grill in Kapolei), Aloha Sushi and the ABC store in Honolulu, according to the department.
Crab Shack and Aloha Sushi told KHON-TV none of the frozen fish made it to customers.
“All of the product is being traced, collected and held by the distributor,” said Peter Oshiro, chief of the DOH Food Safety Program. “Fortunately, in this case, Tropic Fish Hawaii kept excellent records and has been contacting all retailers and pulling the product quickly.”
The state is working with the distributor and affected businesses to ensure proper sanitation and decontamination procedures.
“We have corrected our procedures to ensure this will not happen again,” said Shawn Tanoue, president of Tropic Fish Hawaii. “I want to personally apologize to our customers and the public. We are a local company and pride ourselves in our work and in providing the highest-quality products.”
Health officials say it can take two to six weeks for someone to notice any symptoms of hepatitis A, which include jaundice, fever, fatigue and loss of appetite.