Catfish recall announced

WASHINGTON – Haring Catfish, Inc., a Wisner, La. establishment, is recalling approximately 21,521pounds of siluriformes fish (catfish) products that may be adulterated with a residue of public health concern, specifically gentian (crystal) violet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The siluriformes (catfish) products items were produced on June 28 and 29, 2016. The following products are subject to recall:

• 11-lb. Cardboard boxes of IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) “catfish” tails in plastic wrapping identified as HARING CATFISH and having Lot Code 2140 printed on the label.

• 15-lb. Cardboard boxes of IQF “catfish” steaks, irregular filets, whole fish, strips, nuggets, and partially gutted fish in plastic wrapping identified as HARING CATFISH and having Lot Code 2140 printed on the label.

• 30-lb. Cardboard boxes of IQF “catfish” steaks, irregular filets, whole fish, strips, nuggets, and partially gutted fish in plastic wrapping identified as HARING CATFISH and having Lot Code 2140 printed on the label.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 51217” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations and hotels, restaurants, and institutions in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The problem was discovered on July 11, 2016, after routine FSIS sampling results revealed a violative level of the chemical gentian (crystal) violet in the product.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions, injury, or illness due to consumption of these products.  Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Dottie Walker, at (318) 724-6133 ext. 119. Consumers with food safety questions can also "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.