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Florida Among States Impacted By Tainted Tuna Recall

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – More than 100 people across the nation, including some in Florida, have been sickened after eating a yellowfin tuna product used to make dishes like sushi and sashimi. The illnesses are linked to salmonell and have sparked a nationwide recall.

The company responsible for the tuna in question is Moon Marine USA Corp of California, also known as MMI. Its recalled 58,828 pounds of frozen raw yellofin tuna that labeled as Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA that was sold to grocery stores and restaurants.

The yellofin tuna isn't available for individual customers to buy, but it may be used by restaurants and grocery stores to make sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and similar dishes. Many of the people who got sick reported eating raw tuna in sushi such as "spicy tuna."

Reports of illnesses caused by salmonell bareilly have mainly come from the Eastern Seaboard and the South. The Food and Drug Administration said 116 illnesses have been reported. But, there is a 30 day lag time between when people become sick and when health officials are notified.

The raw yellowfin tuna product may have passed through several distributors before reaching the restaurant and grocery market and may not be clearly labeled.

The most common symptoms of salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight to 72 hours of eating the contaminated food. The illness can be severe or even life-threatening for infants, older people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

The FDA recommended that people be cautious about eating raw seafood, inquire about the source and "when in doubt, don't eat it."

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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