On the 22nd of April, 2023 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published information on Kawasho Foods USA Inc. expanding recall of canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp. Originally, only Lot number LGC12W12E22 of the canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp 4 oz. product was recalled- due to reports of swelling, bursting and leaking cans. However, all canned lots of 4 oz. GEISHA Medium shrimp have been recalled due to likely contamination with Clostridium botulinum after under-processing of the product.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clostridium botulinum contamination is dangerous because it creates Botulism, a “rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.” While the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, rarely sickens people, their spores can “…grow and make one of the most lethal toxins known. The conditions in which the spores can grow and make toxin are: low-oxygen or no oxygen (anaerobic) environment, low acid, low sugar, low salt, a certain temperature range, as well as a certain amount of water…When people eat these foods, they can become seriously ill, or even die, if they don’t get proper medical treatment quickly.”
According to National Food Poisoning Lawyer Ron Simon, “Botulism is very rare in the United States, but also a very serious threat. Most remaining domestic cases are linked to illicit drug use, but there are a handful of food borne cases each year. Never eat canned or bottled foods if it looks like the packaging has been compromised. When the seals or containers are broken, that is when this dangerous pathogen gets introduced into the food”
The recalled, canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp product was reportedly distributed to the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI. For identification, the affected product’s UPC code is 071140003909.
Customers who are in possession of any lot of the 4 oz. canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp should either discard the product, or return to the location of purchase for a full refund.
If experiencing any of the above-listed Botulism-indicative symptoms, individuals should promptly contact a healthcare provider as well as alert public health officials.
