Big Blue Fisheries is recalling ALL smoked products from all lots and codes, various sizes, in vacuum packages because the products may not have been properly cooked and 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. Because the products may not have been fully processed, product contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens could lead to illness if consumed.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Big Blue Fisheries initiated a voluntary recall after Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation conducted a routine inspection and discovered that some of their products may not have been properly cooked. To date, there have been no reported illnesses or consumer complaints.

The firm’s products sold under Big Blue Fisheries brand and Sitka Alaska Smoked Fish were distributed locally in Sitka, Alaska and wholesale nationwide between 09/24/11 to 09/24/13. Products were also sold from internet through the website: http://alaskasmokedfish.com1.

Products were sold in vacuum packed plastic packages with labels located on the front that include the pack date and AK#604.

Dairy products made by the New Zealand company Fonterra that were at the center of a global contamination scare this month did not contain a bacterium that could cause botulism and posed no food safety threat, New Zealand officials said on Wednesday.

The Ministry for Primary Industries said tests showed that whey protein concentrate manufactured by the world’s largest dairy processor contained Clostridium sporogenes, which cannot cause botulism but which at elevated levels can be associated with food spoiling.

Initial tests conducted by Fonterra and a New Zealand government research institute had indicated the presence of Clostridium botulinum, raising fears that infant formula and sports drinks made from the product and widely exported could be dangerous.

The botulism scare caused a recall of products made by multinational brands that may have contained the whey protein in markets like China, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It also prompted bans in Russia and Sri Lanka.

Reuters reports that New Zealand’s Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, said on Saturday it had found bacteria which can cause botulismin some of its dairy products, prompting China to recall affected products.

New Zealand authorities said they were holding back some widely used infant formula products from supermarket shelves.

Fonterra said it had sold New Zealand-made whey protein concentrate contaminated with Clostridium Botulinum to eight customers, including food and beverage companies and animal stock feed firms, for possible use in infant formula, body building powder, and other products. None of its own branded products were affected, it said.

The Ministry of Primary Industries said Fonterra had told it the products in question were exported to Australia, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

China, which imports most of its milk powder from New Zealand, asked domestic importers to recall any products which may have been contaminated by the bacteria, and ramped up scrutiny of New Zealand dairy products coming into the country.

A Washington state company is recalling its chai tea because the beverage was improperly processed and therefore has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

Harmony Chai of Eastsound, WA issued a voluntary recall of its concentrated black spiced and decaffeinated roobius chai teas Friday after testing by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed the product had not been processed in a way that prevents Clostridium botulinum contamination.

The bacteria produce botulinum toxins that attack the nervous system, causing a potentially fatal illness.

The teas were distributed through farmers markets, grocery stores and cafes in Western Washington.

Product information for the recalled teas is as follows:

– Concentrated Black Spiced Chai: Bottled in 22 oz (650ml) amber glass UPC 0510501311 and 64 oz (1892.7ml) amber glass jugs UPC 0510501301

– Decaffeinated Roobios Chai: Bottled in 22 oz (624.25 ml) amber glass UPC 9450402431 and 64 oz (1892.7ml) amber glass jugs UPC 0510501301

Consumers who purchased the recalled teas are urged to return them to their point of purchase for a full refund.

No illnesses have been linked to consumption of the product to date, according to the company.

he Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises consumers not to eat Mediterranean Olives: Calcidica Sweet (Brand: Bel Frantoio) sold at any Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) stores. OSJL is voluntarily recalling the product after HEALTH staff discovered that these products were not handled appropriately to prevent production of the toxin that causes botulism.

Mediterranean Olives: Calcidica Sweet, produced by Bel Frantoio and packaged in 34-oz. plastic containers, were sold in OSJL stores in New York and throughout the Northeast (Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine). This product is being voluntarily recalled because it is labeled “Keep Refrigerated,” but was sold at room temperature, making it susceptible to contamination with Clostridium botulinum.

Other olive products produced by Bel Frantoio that were sold at Ocean State Job Lot, as well as other brands of olives, do not currently pose a safety issue. This recall applies only to this product sold at Ocean State Job Lot.

This product sold elsewhere, where refrigerated, is safe for consumption.

Ingestion of botulinum toxin from improperly stored foods can lead to serious illness and death.

Anyone who has eaten this product and has experienced abdominal cramps; difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; double vision; muscle weakness; muscle aches; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; or fever should contact their healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and treatment. The young, elderly, immune-compromised, and pregnant women are especially susceptible to foodborne illness.

No illnesses associated with this recall have been reported at this time.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to consume any juice products or other beverages from Juices Incorporated (aka Juices International and Juices Enterprises) of Brooklyn, N.Y. The company’s carrot and beet juice products have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Consumers are warned not to consume these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism can cause the following symptoms: general weakness; dizziness; double-vision; and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these symptoms after consuming carrot or beet juice products from Juices Incorporated should seek immediate medical attention.

Although previously distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, Juices Incorporated products were recently found in retail establishments and restaurants in the New York City area, and consumers may have moved the products beyond this region.

The following Juices Incorporated juice products pose a particular concern for Clostridium botulinum contamination:

Carrot Juice Drink

Carrot & Beet Juice Drink

Carrot & Ginger Drink

Double Trouble Carrot Punch

Ginger Beet Juice

Beet Juice Drink

The products are packaged under the following brand names:

Juices Incorporated

Juices International

Juices Enterprises

On October 7, 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint for permanent injunction against the owners of Juices Incorporated after FDA inspections revealed continuing violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including insanitary conditions at the Juices Incorporated facility. Under a January 3, 2011 Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction (Consent Decree), the owners of Juices Incorporated are required to stop manufacturing and distributing any articles of food, including all juice products and other beverages, until they correct the food safety deficiencies and insanitary conditions at their facility.

Subsequently, on June 21, 2012, U.S. District Court Judge Sandra L. Townes for the Eastern District of New York issued an Order to Enforce Consent Decree after the owners of Juices Incorporated failed to comply with the requirements of the Consent Decree. FDA investigators recently confirmed that Juices Incorporated and its owners continue to manufacture and distribute juice products and other beverages in violation of the Consent Decree and the Court’s Order to Enforce Consent Decree.

Although Clostridium botulinum has never been found inJuices Incorporated’s juice products, FDA is concerned about the firm’s continuing production of potentially hazardous juice products despite the requirements of the Consent Decree and Order to Enforce Consent Decree. Because the company was ordered not to manufacture or distribute any food, FDA is also warning consumers not to consume other Juices Incorporated beverages, including but not limited to: Ginger Beer Drink, Agony Peanut Punch, Front End Lifter Magnum Punch, Irish Sea Moss, Cashew Punch, Sorrel Drink, Pineapple Twist, Soursop Juice, and Corn Punch.

The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act refers to unsanitary conditions as insanitary.

Health Canada is reminding Canadians that the consumption of certain whole salted fish products like fesikh, a traditional dish in the Egyptian community, represents an increased risk of botulism.

The fish used to make these specific salted fish dishes are not gutted before the ripening and salting process. This provides an opportunity for Clostridium botulinum bacteria that may be in the gut of the fish to grow and produce the toxins that cause botulism. These toxins are not eliminated by any smoking or drying of the end product. Refrigeration, freezing, washing, and open air or vacuum packaging will not make the fish safe. This applies to whole fish, fillets or parts.

The most recent botulism outbreak in Canada caused by the consumption of fesikh was in 2012. Internationally, the consumption of ungutted salted fish, including fesikh, has been linked to many cases of botulism.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Symptoms of botulism can include nausea and/or vomiting followed by one or more of: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, dry mouth, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, weakness, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases, death can occur. Symptoms generally begin 12 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days after eating. If you are experiencing similar symptoms, please contact your health professional.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the smoked fish products described below because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

The following vacuum-packed products sold at Hooked stores in Toronto are affected by this alert:

Product

Codes
Cold Smoked Steelhead (may also be written as Cold Smoked Salmon or Cold Smoked Sockeye)

A25 (may also be written as A-25; 04 25;
04/25; Apr 25; Apr 25, 2013; Apr 25/2013)
Cold Smoked Steelhead (may also be written as Cold Smoked Salmon or Cold Smoked Sockeye)

A31 (may also be written as A-31; 04 31;
04/31; Apr 31; Apr 31, 2013; Apr 31/2013)

These products have no label or UPC code. The product name is handwritten on the package.

These products have been sold from Hooked stores at:

– 888 Queen Street East, Toronto, and

– 206 Baldwin Street, Toronto.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Little Mermaid Smoke House is recalling its Smoked Herring and Pickled Herring because the viscera of the fish were not removed and the products now pose a risk of contamination by Clostridium botulinum, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Botulism bacteria can cause life-threatening illness and consumers are warned not to eat the products even if they don’t look or smell spoiled.

The recalled products are manufactured by Little Mermaid Smoke House and were distributed in California. The products are sold as whole fish, packaged in vacuum-sealed packaging, and labeled “Little Mermaid Smoke House.” There are no codes listed on the products. The recall includes products sold before April 3.

The public is being warned not to eat Central-Epicure Gefilte Fish, Ready to Serve, Sweet and Savoury.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the product may be contaminated with the bacteria that can cause botulism, a sometimes life-threatening illness.

The fish was sold in Ontario and Quebec in 600 gram packages with a best before date of April 13, 2013 (UPC code 061279 00440 3 & 061279 00440 7).

So far no reported illnesses have been linked the fish.

The manufacturer, Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd., of Toronto, has recalled the affected products from the marketplace and the CFIA is monitoring the recall.