Island Soups Co. is recalling six flavors of soup due to the risk of botulism poisoning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection and found that company records do not show that the soups were processed adequately to stop the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Botulism poisoning can be fatal. Foodborne botulism occurs in products with little oxygen, such as canned foods.
According to a Sept. 7 recall alert posted on the FDA website, the recalled soups were marketed online. No illnesses have been reported thus far. Island Soups Co. is based in St. Albans, NY. “FDA inspection of the establishment reveals that the firm does not have valid process schedules or process documentation to ensure that these soup products have been sufficiently processed to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum” the recall alert states.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning include: general weakness, dizziness, double- vision, and trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation. Consumers should seek medical attention immediately if they experience these symptoms.
Although the soup is not sold in retail stores, a company statement lists 31 “retail partners”. All retailers are located in New York and New Jersey. “Currently the soups are under review by the Food and Drug Administration and cannot be shelved in Supermarkets until the review is complete,” the company says on its website. “We do not use preservative in our soups. Our soups are kept fresh through our heating and cooling processes.”
The following products are affected: Gungo Peas Soup, Gungo Peas Soup no meat, Red Peas Soup, Red Peas Soup no meat, Mannish Water and Fish Soup. The soups were sold in 16-ounce glass jars with white lids. The recalled products have best-by dates starting in July 2015 through June 2018.
