August 4, 2025

 

Fish recall in the US prompts FDA risk warning  

 

 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a second-highest risk warning following the recall of several fish products potentially processed in unsanitary conditions.

 

Moon N Sea Ga LLC, based in Georgia, issued a voluntary recall on June 24 for four salmon and tuna products. The FDA later issued a Class II risk classification on July 30.

 

A Class II risk classification refers to a situation in which the "use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," according to the FDA.

 

The FDA warns in its official guidance that "pathogenic bacteria growth and toxin formation" as a result of time and temperature abuse of fish products can cause consumer illness. It can lead to contamination with numerous different bacteria, including listeria and salmonella.

 

"Pathogenic bacteria can enter the process on raw materials. They can also be introduced into foods during processing from the air, unclean hands, insanitary utensils and equipment, contaminated water, or sewage and through cross-contamination between raw and cooked product," the FDA said.

 

Listeria infection, or listeriosis, may lead to a range of symptoms in infected individuals. For those experiencing less severe infections, symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which often last between one and three days, the FDA said.

 

For more severe and potentially life-threatening infections, symptoms may include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

 

The products affected by the recall include the following:

 

    •  Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillet - 1429.13-lbs

The fish were distributed to Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. All of the products were sold in bulk in 50-pound brown corrugated carboard boxes.

 

The FDA has issued the following statement:

 

"Managing the amount of time that food is exposed to temperatures that are favourable for pathogen growth and toxin production; killing pathogenic bacteria by cooking or pasteurisation or by retorting; controlling the amount of moisture that is available for pathogen growth in the product by drying; controlling the amount of moisture that is available for pathogen growth [water activity] in the product by formulation; controlling the amount of salt or preservatives, such as sodium nitrite, in the product; controlling the level of acidity [pH] in the product; controlling the introduction of pathogenic bacteria after the pasteurization process."

 

The Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on its website: "Proper and effective sanitation practices and conditions are an essential part of all safe food manufacturing processes. Insanitary facilities and equipment and poor food handling and personal hygiene practices by employees create an environment in which pathogens and other food safety hazards can contaminate and adulterate products."

 

The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA. Consumers who purchased the recalled fish should not consume it.

 

-      Newsweek