W H & Group LLC. just issued a recall of Dried Fish after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food inspectors discovered Clostridium botulinum spores, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. The botulism contamination was discovered during a routine inspection and follow-up analysis of the Dried Fish by food lab personnel.
Clostridium botulinum spores can cause Botulism, a serious and sometimes deadly foodborne illness.
The lab also confirmed that the Dried Fish was not eviscerated prior to processing.
Selling this type of fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are likelier to be concentrated in the viscera of the fish than in any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.
The recalled Dried Fish is packaged in an unmarked cardboard box and each fish is approximately 7-to-7.5 inches in length. The Dried Fish is sold in bulk form and may also be repacked into clear unlabeled, uncoded plastic bags. The recalled Dried Fish is a product of China and was sold in New York State.
No illnesses have been reported, to date, in connection with this recall; however, botulism poisoning can take some time to manifest symptoms. Consumers who have this Dried Fish are advised not to eat it and should return the Dried Fish to the place of purchase. The company can be reached at 718-963-1010.
As we’ve previously written, botulism symptoms can include: General weakness, dizziness, double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and trouble with speaking or swallowing, and dry mouth. Difficulty in breathing; weakness of other muscles “or instance, muscle weakness that starts at the shoulders and moves progressively down the body” abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common symptoms.
Botulism poisoning is extremely neurotoxic and can cause paralysis of breathing muscles, which can lead to death without treatment and respiratory ventilation in about eight percent of cases.
Also, people with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and children have a higher risk for these symptoms.
WH & Group is located at 287 Vandervoort Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11211.
