Health Hazard Update: Second List of Recalled Central-Epicure Brand Fish – Gefilte Fish, Ready to Serve

This is an update to my previous blog Health Hazard Alert: Certain Central-Epicure Brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon Recalled.

Regarding the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)’s ongoing food safety investigation and testing of fish from Central- Epicure Food Products Ltd., the recall update now includes a second list of the following additional fish products:

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the Central-Epicure brand Gefilte Fish, Ready to Serve, Sweet or Savoury, described below because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria which produces toxins that may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness

• Recall Classification: Class 1

  • Class 1 is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death

• CFIA’s Date of Recall/Advisory: March 30, 2013

• These products have been distributed in Ontario and Quebec

• When diagnosed early, botulism can be treated with a botulism antitoxin:

  • The antitoxin can prevent a patient’s condition from becoming worse, and reduces the chances of complications

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

Please note that food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum may not look or smell spoiled:

• In food borne botulism, 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

Anyone who has consumed this product and experiences any of the symptoms described here should see a health care provider immediately and notify their local public health unit because death can occur in severe cases:

• nausea
• vomiting
• fatigue
• dizziness
• headache
• double vision
• dry throat
• respiratory failure
• paralysis

For info on the pathogen – Clostridium botulinum bacteria – and related food safety facts, please click here.

Contact Info

• Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd. at foodsafety@centralepicure.com

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) at:

  • 1-800-442-2342

  • TTY 1-800-465-7735

  • 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday

  • Or contact CFIA by filling out the online feedback form

Le texte français suit le texte anglais:

Did you know?

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issues public advisories and email notifications for food recalls for all high-risk food recalls (mainly Class I) when the product is available for sale or could be in consumers’ homes

• All other recalls (Class II and III) and food products that are sold exclusively to restaurants, are posted on the CFIA’s Food Recall Report

• Email notifications are also available for all allergen recalls

• Food and consumer product recalls are also available at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca

Health Hazard Alert – Certain Central-Epicure brand Gefilte Fish, Ready to Serve may contain Dangerous Bacteria

Recall / advisory date:  March 30, 2013
Reason for recall / advisory:  Microbiological – Clostridium botulinum
Hazard classification:  Class 1
Company / Firm:  Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd.
Distribution:  Ontario, Quebec