Milkfish recalled over botulism concerns

Foremost Foods International, Inc. of Pomona, CA  is recalling Pamana Premium Marinated Bangus, Pamana Premium Marinated Baby Bangus and Pamana Premium Bangus Belly because of potential Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation. 

The frozen bangus (milkfish) in reduced oxygen packaging does not contain instructions to keep frozen and instructions for proper thawing (e.g., “Important, keep frozen until used, thaw under refrigeration immediately before use”).

According to the details posted online by the FDA, the recall was initiated on Dec. 1, 2023 and is ongoing.

The recalled products were distributed in the U.S. to supermarkets in California, Hawaii, Washington, Illinois, Nevada and Texas.

Recall products:

Pamana Premium Marinated Bangus (Deboned Marinated Milkfish), Net Weight to be Weight at Time of Sale

• Product Quantity: 407 boxes

Pamana Premium Marinated Baby Bangus (Deboned Marinated Baby Milkfish), Net Weight to be Weight at Time of Sale

• Product Quantity: 432 boxes

Pamana Premium Bangus Belly (Cut Deboned Milkfish Belly), 340 g (120 oz)

• Product Quantity: 448 boxes

Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to their place of purchase.

About botulism
While a variety of illnesses can result from eating under-processed food, one of the most dangerous is botulism poisoning. Untreated, botulism can paralyze the muscles needed for breathing, resulting in sudden death.

Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed signs of botulism poisoning should immediately seek medical attention, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, symptoms can begin as soon as 6 hours after or up to 10 days later,” according to the CDC website.

The symptoms of botulism may include some of all of the following: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. People with botulism poisoning may not show all of these symptoms at once.

These symptoms result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If untreated, the disease may progress, and symptoms may worsen to cause paralysis of specific muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and the body from the neck to the pelvis area.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)