USDA Recalls Unauthorized Fish Products Imported from China
On June 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a Class I recall of 9,370 pounds of Siluriformes products imported from China. According to the FDA, the term Siluriformes refers to fish, for example, a fish commonly referred to as “catfish.” The recalled products were imported from the People’s Republic of China and sold by Yumei Foods USA, Inc., an establishment based in a City of Industry, California. These products are being recalled because China is not authorized to export processed Siluriformes products to the USA.
The following products comprise the recall:
- 13.051 oz. (370g) plastic packages containing “FISH FILLET WITH SPICY SOUP” Freeze Dried Technology Fish. No Preservative.
- 12.35 oz. (350g) plastic packages containing “FISH FILLET WITH PICKLED SOUP” Freeze Dried Technology Fish. No Preservative.
These products are included in the recall, regardless of their product date. The products do not have any establishment number or a USDA mark of inspection.
The issue was discovered during a routine FSIS surveillance of imported products. As stated above, China is not authorized to import processed or ready-to-eat Siluriformes products, only raw Siluriformes products. To date, there have been no reported adverse effects connected with the consumption of the Siluriformes products imported from China. However, health officials are concerned that some consumers may still have these products in their freezers. Anyone that discovers that they are in possession of these products is recommended to throw it out or return it to its place of purchase.
In addition to other food health and safety concerns regarding the regulations of Siluriformes in China, Siluriformes that are not properly raised may carry Salmonella which can be transmitted to humans when the fish is consumed. Salmonella infection causes moderate to severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. The most common symptoms of Salmonella infection are diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and vomiting.
The FSIS is collecting a list of all the retail and wholesale stores to which the recalled products were distributed. Whenever the complete list is available, it will be posted to the FSIS’s website.
