FDA issues highest-risk recall for smoked herring that could cause deadly botulism poisoning in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Key Takeaways
- P. East Trading Corp. recalled 81 cases of Salted Smoked Split Herring due to potential Clostridium botulinum contamination, which causes potentially fatal botulism.
- The FDA classified this as a Class I recall – their highest risk category – indicating serious risk of death or health complications.
- Affected products were distributed to numerous retailers across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with the product likely repackaged from 18-pound wooden boxes.
- Botulism symptoms can appear between 6 hours and 10 days after consumption, including paralysis, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, and can be fatal if untreated.
- Consumers should not consume the product and should return it to their place of purchase for a full refund.
Dangerous Bacteria Prompts Urgent Fish Recall
The FDA has issued its most serious recall classification for Salted Smoked Split Herring distributed by P. East Trading Corp. of Bronx, New York. The Class I recall affects 81 cases of product distributed throughout the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The recall was initiated after analysis by New York State Food Laboratory personnel discovered the fish might not have been properly eviscerated, creating potential for deadly Clostridium botulinum contamination. This bacteria produces the toxin responsible for botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.
“P. East Trading Corp Distributors of Bronx, NY, is recalling its Salted Smoked Split Herring because the product, found to be over 5 inches in length and uneviscerated, has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening illness or death,” said P. East, Trading Corp Distributors.
The affected fish was manufactured by Sea Star Seafood Ltd. of Canada and carries the code Lot 1PRC5073. It was sold in 18-pound wooden boxes to various supermarkets and specialty food retailers throughout the tri-state area, including Pioneer Supermarket, Joe’s Market #3, Key Food Supermarket, and numerous others. Once at retail locations, the herring was typically repackaged into smaller portions, making it difficult for consumers to identify the recalled product without checking with their retailer.
Understanding the Serious Health Risks
Botulism poisoning presents a severe health threat that can cause paralysis and death if not promptly treated. The FDA classifies recalls into three categories based on potential health impact, with Class I being the most serious. This classification indicates that there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The bacteria thrives particularly in uneviscerated fish over five inches in length, which is precisely the issue with this recalled product.
“In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, symptoms can begin as soon as 6 hours after or up to 10 days later,” according to the CDC.
Symptoms of botulism include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that can progress to full paralysis. These symptoms typically appear within 18 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food but can emerge as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days. While no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall as of June 10, consumers are urged to seek immediate medical attention if they have consumed the product and developed any symptoms.
What Consumers Should Do
The discovery of potentially contaminated herring occurred during a routine inspection by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector. While P. East Trading Corp. has advised consumers to inspect and clean their food before preparation, food safety experts strongly recommend against consuming the product at all. The FDA has ongoing import alerts against uneviscerated fish due to the significant botulism risks they pose, and proper evisceration during processing is required by U.S. regulations.
“The product was likely to be repacked by these retail locations in deli-style or other retail packaging,” according to June 10 recall notice.
Consumers who have purchased Salted Smoked Split Herring should immediately check with their retailer to determine if their product is affected by the recall. If so, they should not consume it under any circumstances and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information about the recall, consumers can contact Jay Hong at P. East Trading Corp. The company has stopped distribution of the product while the FDA and the company continue their investigation into the source of the problem.
