Canada’s Tri-Star Seafood recalls live spot prawns

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based Tri-Star Seafood Supply has recalled live spot prawns (Pandalus platyceros) it recently sold due to norovirus contamination.

This recall, issued 1 June, comes after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency began an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak, following multiple reported illnesses related to consumption of the product, CFIA said in a press release.

The product lots being recalled are AJ200-021, CA001-1532, and CA001-1540, according to the CFIA. The agency “is verifying that industry is removing the recalled product from the marketplace.”

“The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products,” it said. “If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.”

The most common symptoms of norovirus in humans include gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours after exposure.

“The illness often begins suddenly. Even after having the illness, you can still become reinfected by norovirus,” CFIA said. “The main symptoms of norovirus illness are diarrhea, vomiting (children usually experience more vomiting than adults), nausea, and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and fatigue (a general sense of tiredness). Most people feel better within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own, and experience no long-term health effects. As with any illness causing diarrhea or vomiting, people who are ill should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost body fluids and prevent dehydration. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously.”

Founded in 1979, Tri-Star Seafood Supply is an international seafood supplier specializing in sourcing, sale, and export of live, fresh, and frozen seafood products. It ships throughout Canada and to China, Southeast Asia, the United States, and Europe.

Photo courtesy of Tri-Star Seafood