FDA warns about salmonella, E.coli in mussels from Canada-based East River Shellfish

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning retailers and restaurants in certain U.S. states about the possible presence of salmonella and E. coli. in cultured mussels from Glenfinnan, Prince Edward Island, Canada-based East River Shellfish.

On 21 August, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tested mussel meats and discovered the presence of salmonella and high levels of generic E. coli in cultured mussels from East River Shellfish from harvest location PE 4-C, harvested on 14 August, the FDA said.

“The FDA is issuing this alert advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, cultured mussels from East River Shellfish, Inc. harvested on 8/14/2023 due to contamination from Salmonella and high levels of generic E. coli,” the agency said.

The mussels were shipped on 15 August and distributed to retailers in the U.S. states of Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York.

The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the mussels and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

CFIA’s food safety investigation into the cause of the problem is ongoing, it said.

Photo courtesy of FDA