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Consumer Alert: Uneviscerated Processed Fish

NEWS RELEASE



Contact:  Andrei Koutsenko
          718-846-9094

For Immediate Release

Richmond Hill, NY - April 11, 2003 --Baltic Star Food Production, 87-18 112th Street, Richmond Hill, New York 11418 is recalling 25 packages of uneviscerated processed fish. The product, OPRA BREAM (Dried Fish), a.k.a. "Leshch", was discovered by NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets Food Inspectors during a routine inspection at a retail market in Richmond Hill, New York. Samples analyzed confirmed that the fish had not been eviscerated prior to processing.

This product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause Botulism, a serious and potentially fatal food-borne illness.

The sale of this type of fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of me fish. Uneviscerated processed fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning. Symptoms of Botulism include blurred or double vision, general weakness, poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory paralysis.

OPRA BREAM (Dried Fish), a.k.a. "Leshch", is packaged in plastic bags, of various weights of about half a pound. The recalled product was sold in the Richmond Hill area of Queens.

Consumers who have OPRA BREAM (Dried Fish) are advised not to eat it.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers with questions should contact Baltic Star Food Production at (718) 846-9094.

FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page created by smc 2003-APR-14.