Lack of inspection prompts recall of 154,500 pounds of imported catfish

[daveomak.fs]

Lack of inspection prompts recall of 154,500 pounds of imported catfish
By Kelsey M. Mackin on May 29, 2019


California firm Richwell Group Inc., doing business as Maxfield Seafood and importer of record, is recalling more than 154,500 pounds of Siluriformes, also known as catfish, that was not presented for import re-inspection into the United States, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

According to the recall notice, the fish was produced at a Vietnamese establishment that was not eligible to export Siluriformes to the United States.

The frozen Siluriformes products, specifically yellow walking fish, were distributed to retail locations nationwide. The recall notice says the fish products were imported from Vietnam to the United States on various dates from March 2018 through January 2019.

The recalled frozen fish has a shelf life of two years. The problem was discovered on May 22 during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers or refrigerators or both,” according to the recall notice. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

As of the posting of the recall, the FSIS reported there had been no confirmed adverse reactions in relation to eating the affected fish. The recall notice recommends that anyone who has eaten any of the fish contact a medical professional.

Consumers and retailers can use the following information to help determine whether they have any of the recalled catfish on hand:

• Varying weights of packages containing 2 pieces of “FARM RAISED INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN” “FROZEN HEADLESS YELLOW WALKING FISH Clarias macrocephalics”;
• Varying weights of packages containing 3 pieces of “FARM RAISED INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN” “FROZEN HEADLESS YELLOW WALKING FISH Clarias macrocephalics”;
• Varying weights of packages containing 2 pieces of “FARM RAISED INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN” “FROZEN YELLOW WALKING FISH Clarias macrocephalics”;and
• Varying weights of packages containing 3 pieces of “FARM RAISED INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN” “FROZEN YELLOW WALKING FISH Clarias macrocephalics”.

The FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Jae Hwang, Operations Manager of Maxfield Seafood, at: [email protected], according to the recall notice.

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Tags: California, catfish, frozen headless yellow walking fish, FSIS, FSIS catfish inspection, lack of inspection, Maxfield Seafood, Richwell Group Inc., siluriformes, Vietnam