Arcadia Trading Inc. of Brooklyn is recalling all packages of Red Thread Fish due to a botulism risk. Consumers who have purchased this product should not eat it and may return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
The recalled products were packed in 7 oz. heat sealed plastic bags and sold nationwide. The recalled products pose a risk even if they don’t look or smell spoiled.
The problem was discovered by New York State Department of Agriculture inspectors who noted, during a routine inspection, that the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing. New York state regulations prohibit the sale of uneviscerated processed fish because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish.
Past botulism outbreaks have been linked to uneviscerated fish. But no illnesses had been reported in connection with these products at the time of the recall.
Botulism is potentially fatal. Anyone who has eaten the fish and develops symptoms of poisoning such as blurred or double vision, general weakness, and poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory paralysis, should seek emergency medical care.
