The Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of scallops sold by a Massachusetts-based seafood wholesaler, warning that the contaminated shellfish may contain toxins that can cause food poisoning.
The recall affects “whole live scallops” from Intershell International, which sells “the highest quality wild-caught, all-natural shellfish and seafood,” according to the Gloucester, Mass., company. It is said to be a shellfish. Website.
fda recall A report released earlier this week said the contaminated scallops “were received from an unauthorized harvester, appeared to have been harvested in prohibited waters in Massachusetts, and were mislabeled.” said.
“Scallops caught in prohibited areas may be contaminated with human pathogens, toxic substances, poisonous or deleterious substances, and may cause illness if ingested,” the regulator said.
The scallops in question were being shipped to distributors and retailers in Massachusetts, as well as Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The FDA warned that they “may have been distributed further from these states.”
The agency was notified of the issue by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on January 5, and Intershell initiated the recall four days later.
The FDA warned that contaminated shellfish can cause food poisoning, with symptoms such as “diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.”
“Symptoms may begin within hours, develop over several days, and last from hours to days,” the FDA said.
“Scallops contaminated with pathogens may look, smell, and taste normal even when eaten raw, whole, or with internal organs and eggs,” the report said. It pointed out.
Per the FDA notice, the defective batch of scallops was incorrectly labeled with a harvest date of December 26, 2023 and a harvest location of FED 514. December 27, 2023. And January 1, 2024.
Restaurants and retail establishments that may have received scallops should use the FDA to require employees to thoroughly wash their hands and thoroughly clean and disinfect food preparation areas and equipment to avoid possible cross-contamination. was instructed by.
Representatives for Intershell did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
The FDA said it “continues to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.”
