Recall: True Taste Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout, Hot Smoked Whitefish, Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Mackerel, Hot Smoked Salmon Steak, Cold Smoked Mackerel and Cold Smoked Whitefish -- Clostridium Botulinum

[Missouriwatcher]

Kenosha, WI - December 18, 2012 - True Taste, LLC of Kenosha, WI, is recalling it's vacuum packaged Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout, Hot Smoked Whitefish, Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Mackerel, Hot Smoked Salmon Steak, Cold Smoked Mackerel, and Cold Smoked Whitefish because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life- threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled...

The recalled product is vacuum packaged and can be identified with either the True Taste Label in CA and IL or the Lowell Foods Label in IL. The recalled product has a white sticker applied to the package with two sets of numbers. The first set of numbers represent the date of processing the second set of numbers represents the best if used by date. This recall includes all production dates beginning on 01/01/2012 through current.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.

The potential for contamination was identified after routine samples collected by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection found that the product did not meet the 3.5% minimum requirement for water phase salt. The sample analysis reported water phase salt concentrations of 2.2% (hot smoked white fish); 3.0% (hot smoked herring); and 3.4% (hot smoked rainbow trout)...

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm332784.htm

[Giuseppe]

Re: Recall: True Taste Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout, Hot Smoked Whitefish, Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Mackerel, Hot Smoked Salmon Steak, Cold Smoked Mackerel and Cold Smoked Whitefish -- Clostridium Botulinum

[Source: California Department of Health, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

CDPH Warns Consumers Not To Eat True Taste Smoked Fish Products Because of Botulism Risk

Date: 12/19/2012 / Number: 12-069 / Contact: Anita Gore, Heather Bourbeau (916) 440-7259



SACRAMENTO - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Dr. Ron Chapman warned consumers today not to eat True Taste brand smoked fish products because they may have been improperly produced, making them susceptible to contamination with Clostridium botulinum.

Ingestion of botulism toxin from improperly processed jarred and canned foods may lead to serious illness and death. No illnesses have been linked to any of the affected products.

True Taste, LLC, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, is voluntarily recalling all production dates beginning January 1, 2012, of the following varieties of True Taste brand smoked fish:

• Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout,
• Hot Smoked Whitefish,
• Hot Smoked Herring,
• Hot Smoked Mackerel,
• Hot Smoked Salmon Steak,
• Cold Smoked Mackerel and
• Cold Smoked Whitefish.

The product labels contain a white sticker with two sets of numbers. The first number indicates the processing date; for example, ?110512? (Photo of Product Labels and Date Coding).

CDPH is working with the manufacturer and distributors to identify the specific distribution of the recalled fish; however, CDPH has been able to confirm that some of the product was offered for sale through Southern California Albertson?s stores.

Consumers in possession of the recalled products should discard them in the trash.

Botulism toxin is odorless and colorless. Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

The initial symptoms frequently experienced are double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and dry or sore throat.

Progressive descending paralysis, usually symmetrical, may follow. Additional symptoms may include slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, inability of the neck muscles to support the head; paralysis of the extremities and respiratory muscles may occur.

Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, have a weak cry, and poor muscle tone.

Consumers with any of these symptons should contact their health care provider. For more information, click on botulism.

Consumers that observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report their findings to the CDPH toll-free complaint line at (800) 495-3232.

-
--------