Intershell International Corp live scallops - Warning to not consume, sell or serve due to potential contamination

Pennsylvania, United States

The FDA issued an alert advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of certain Intershell International Corp (MA 7802 SP) whole, live scallops that were received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514 because they may be contaminated. The scallops were directly distributed to distributors and retailers in IL, MA, NJ, NY, and PA and may have been distributed further from these states.

The affected product is Intershell International Corp (MA 7802 SP) whole, live scallops, that were received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24.

The FDA suggests that the affected scallops may be contaminated with human pathogens and toxic elements due to harvesting in restricted waters, which may lead to illness if ingested. Typically, scallops can bioaccumulate bacteria and other pathogens from the surrounding water due to their feeding habits, and hence can cause adverse health effects if harvested from polluted waters and consumed.

On January 5, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified the FDA about the suspect scallops from Intershell International Corp, indicating that they may have been harvested from forbidden areas and hence potentially contaminated. The distributor initiated a product recall by January 9, 2024, due to the potential health risks.

As part of its response, the FDA is working with state health departments and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference to coordinate investigations and response efforts. The FDA is also advising restaurants and food retailers to refrain from selling the potentially tainted scallops. Moreover, businesses should also throw away any remaining stock of the product and exercise extra caution to prevent cross-contamination. As a precautionary step, consumers are also advised to not consume the scallops possibly involved.

Symptoms of food poisoning from these particular scallops could include diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In case you experience symptoms, report it now. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-and-consumers-not-eat-certain-whole-live