More than 500 pounds of smoked fish are being recalled because they could be contaminated with the toxin that causesbotulism, a rare but potentially life-threatening illness.
Haifa Smoked Fish of Queens, New York, recalled all lots of its Cold Smoked Sprats on Oct. 27, totaling about 560 pounds, according to a company announcement. No illnesses had been reported as of the recall announcement.
But the company warned consumers not to eat the recalled fish "even if it does not look or smell spoiled."
The recall follows an Oct. 23 advisory from the Food and Drug Administration, which said it found that the company was producing the smoked fish without "implementing required controls" designed to prevent the toxin that causes botulism from contaminating
the product.
The FDA cautioned that contaminated fish can look, smell, and taste normal but still make people sick.
The recalled fish were sold to retailers, restaurants, wholesalers, and food-service customers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, according to the FDA. The agency said the products may have been distributed beyond those states.
USA TODAY reached out to Haifa Smoked Fish for comment.
What are the symptoms of botulism?
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The toxin is produced by Clostridium botulinum and related bacteria.
The CDC says improperly canned, preserved, or fermented homemade foods can be a source of foodborne botulism. According to the CDC, symptoms of botulism can include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle weakness
- Double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty moving the eyes
Botulism can cause paralysis and difficulty breathing. People experiencing symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 560 pounds of smoked fish recalled over botulism risk
