Beware of Crab Meat

The FDA has recalled crab meat from Venezuela. We recommend residents avoid crab imported from Venezuela until more information is available. To learn more about the situation, read ahead.
Page updated on January 7, 2022 at 11:55 AM
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled crab meat imported from Venezuela due to a Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak linked to fresh crab meat from Venezuela. As a result, the FDA has issued a recall for crab meat imported from Venezuela.

The CDC recommends that consumers not eat, restaurants not serve, and retailers not sell fresh crab meat, labeled as fresh or precooked, imported from Venezuela until we learn more.

It is important to know that food contaminated with Vibrio bacteria usually looks, smells, and tastes normal; cooking food contaminated with Vibrio does not make it safe to eat or give to your pet.

Advice to Consumers

 

-Do not buy or eat fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela

 

  • If you purchased crab meat imported from Venezuela, do not eat it and throw it away

 

  • If you purchased crab meat and do not know if it is imported from Venezuela, do not eat it and throw it away

 

-This crab meat may be labeled as fresh or precooked, and is commonly found in plastic containers

-If you think you became sick from eating imported crab meat, contact your healthcare provider. Symptoms of Vibrio infection include the following:

  • watery diarrhea
  • stomach cramping
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • chills

 

Advice to Restaurants and Retailers

 

-Do not serve or sell fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela. Throw it away or return it to your supplier for disposal

 

  • If you do not know if the crab meat is imported from Venezuela, ask your supplier
  • If your supplier does not know if the crab meat is from Venezuela, throw it away or return it to the supplier for disposal

-Take measures to prevent cross–contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment by following the steps below:

 

  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process
  • Take steps to prevent cross contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the contaminated products
  • Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product
  • Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross–contamination

 

For more information, please check:

 

 

The investigations are ongoing. The CDC, FDA and state regulatory officials are working to determine the distribution of imported crab meat. The CDC will provide updates when more information is available.