Euphoria Fancy Food Inc., a Brooklyn NY establishment, is recalling Herring Special Salting sold throughout the state because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores. Consumers who have the Herring Special Salting being recalled should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Clostridium botulinum spores can cause botulism, a rare but potentially fatal foodborne illness.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been sickened after eating uneviscerated herring, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a food poisoning lawsuit and we can help.
What’s the problem?
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Euphoria Fancy Food Inc. 149-151 2nd Ave. Brooklyn NY 11215 is currently recalling Herring Special Salting sold in New York state because it was not properly eviscerated prior to processing and may contain Clostridium botulinum spores.
The herring in question is a product of Russia and comes in an uncoded, 48.58 oz. (1300 gr.) plastic container. The problem was discovered during a routine inspection by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors. The sale of uneviscerated herring is prohibited under New York state law because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other part of the fish.
Botulism Food Poisoning
Botulism is a rare but extremely serious foodborne disease caused by Clostridium botulinum spores. Contamination occurs when a potent neurotoxin produced by the bacteria is consumed in improperly preserved foods. Signs and symptoms of botulism food poisoning may include:
- difficulty swallowing or speaking
- facial weakness on both sides of the face
- blurred vision
- drooping eyelids
- trouble breathing
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal cramps (only in foodborne botulism)
- paralysis
In foodborne botulism, food poisoning symptoms generally appear 18 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food, but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days after consumption. Treatment for foodborne cases of botulism typically includes clearing out the digestive system by inducing vomiting and giving medications to induce bowel movements. If the diagnosis is made early enough, injected antitoxins may reduce the risk of complications. The antitoxins can prevent Clostridium botulinum spores from harming your nerves, but cannot reverse any damage that’s already been done.
FDA Warning on Uneviscerated Fish Products
According to an FDA compliance policy guide [1], uneviscerated fish products have caused multiple outbreaks of botulism and death:
FDA considers uneviscerated fish that are salt-cured, dried, or smoked to represent a potentially life-threatening health hazard. In addition, fillets, parts, or other products derived from uneviscerated fish pose the same potential health hazard as the original product. Therefore, with the exception of small, uneviscerated fish, FDA considers uneviscerated fish that have been salt-cured, dried, or smoked, as well as products made from them, to be adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, in that the product has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health. These products are hazardous whether stored at ambient temperature, refrigerated, or frozen, or whether packaged in air, vacuum, or modified atmosphere.
FDA will consider regulatory action (seizure or detention) against any uneviscerated fish greater than five inches in length that is salt-cured, dried, or smoked, or any product derived from such uneviscerated fish, in interstate commerce.
Click here to read more about recent botulism food poisoning outbreaks from Schmidt & Clark, LLP.
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Do I have a Euphoria Fancy Food Uneviscerated Fish Recall Lawsuit?
The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Euphoria Fancy Food uneviscerated fish recall lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new botulism food poisoning cases in all 50 states.
