March 27, 2020

Audience

• Restaurants in California that have received shipments of Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading raw, ready-to-eat (RTE) salmon products between 3/9/2020 and 3/23/2020.
• Consumers, especially women who are or could become pregnant, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems who have recently consumed raw, RTE salmon products from the listed restaurant locations and suspect they have food poisoning or other illness as a consequence of consumption contact a medical professional immediately.

The FDA is making available a list of restaurants that received recalled product between 3/17/2020 and 3/23/2020, as those products remain within the reported shelf-life of the recalled RTE salmon.

Product

• Product: Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading raw, RTE salmon products received between 3/9/2020 and 3/23/2020.  These recalled raw, RTE salmon products may be incorporated into sushi products for consumption. These products are likely to be labeled “J Foods”.
• Packaging: Salmon fillets are first wrapped in green parchment paper and then in clear plastic wrap. Salmon heads and bones (per customer request) are placed in clear plastic bags. Bagged/wrapped salmon is then placed into a Styrofoam box labeled “J Foods”.
• Distribution Information: These salmon products were distributed to restaurants in California between 3/9/2020 and 3/23/2020. These products are typically sold fresh and do not have a long shelf life, though they can be frozen to extend the shelf life. The FDA is making available a list of restaurants that received the recalled product between 3/17/2020 and 3/23/2020. Records from the recalling firm show that the restaurants included in the link below have received RTE salmon from Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading. Note: This list comprises firms to which Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading has reported to the FDA that it distributed recalled product. This list may be both over and under inclusive, and firms may be added or removed as more information becomes available. The FDA currently does not have information to suggest that these products were distributed to retail locations other than restaurants.

List of restaurants that may have received this product from Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading

Purpose

Restaurants in California should stop selling and discard recent shipments of raw, RTE salmon products from Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) contamination. These products are likely to be labeled “J Foods”. L. monocytogenes is a species of disease-causing bacteria, which causes an infection called listeriosis. A listeriosis infection can have serious adverse effects for women who are or may become pregnant, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

Summary of Problem and Scope

The FDA conducted environmental sampling and a routine facility inspection of Koi Koi Trading in March 2020. The FDA analyzed 98 environmental swabs, 49 of which tested positive for Listeria species. Three of these swabs were positive for L. monocytogenes. Of these three positives, one was from a food contact surface that was used for descaling and filleting RTE salmon. The two other positives were from areas near exposed RTE salmon. These results, along with inspectional observations (Form FDA 483), suggest serious sanitation issues which included food contact surfaces with fish debris after they were sanitized, not preventing cross-contamination of food from insanitary objects, and insanitary employee practices. The FDA informed the company of the agency’s concerns and the company has verbally indicated that they have ceased processing and been undertaking some corrective actions.

FDA Actions

On 3/25/2020, in discussions with company management, the FDA advised that the company cease operations until additional corrective actions are performed, and no L. monocytogenes contamination can be detected at the facility. The FDA is publishing this Safety Alert to notify restaurants in California that may have received raw, RTE salmon product from Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading between 3/9/2020 and 3/23/2020.

Recommendations for Restaurants

Restaurants in California that have received raw, RTE salmon products from Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading between 3/9/2020 and 3/23/2020 should stop selling and discard the product and take appropriate action to ensure customers are not served the potentially contaminated food.

Unlike most bacteria, L. monocytogenes can grow at refrigeration temperatures and freezing will not eliminate or reduce the pathogen. L. monocytogenes can also cross-contaminate other food that has been cut and served on the same cutting board or stored in the same area.

Restaurants who have received and handled potentially contaminated raw, RTE salmon in their facilities should:

• Identify, isolate and discard the affected salmon.
• Wash the inside walls and shelves of refrigerators or other areas where the salmon was stored or held including cutting boards, countertops, and utensils that may have come into contact with the potentially contaminated salmon; then clean, sanitize, and dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used. Frequently change clean cloths used in drying.
• Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process. 

Retailers should check with their state for specific guidance. More information can be found in the FDA Food Code 2017.

Recommendations for Consumers

Consumers who have recently purchased raw, RTE salmon products from the list of restaurants in California should contact the restaurant for more information about where the salmon was processed and sourced. Consumers who suspect they have had contaminated food in their homes should throw the food away and follow these steps:

• Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used. 
• Wipe up spills in the refrigerator immediately and clean the refrigerator regularly.
• Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and following any cleaning and sanitation process.
• Pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems should avoid certain foods, including raw fish, which carry a higher risk for L. monocytogenes.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

• Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
• Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
• Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional consumer and industry assistance.

Additional Information:

• List of restaurants who have received raw, RTE salmon products from Min Jiang Food Store Inc. DBA Koi Koi Trading
• Listeria
• Preventing Listeria Infections
• Food Safety for Moms to Be