Maspeth, New York, U.S.A.-based Asian food importer Starway International Group is recalling approximately 9,513 pounds of frozen catfish fish ball products from Vietnam.
The catfish balls were produced by an establishment in Vietnam that is not eligible to export catfish to the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which did not name the exact exporter.
The products were shipped to retail locations nationwide, and the FSIS discovered the problem during routine surveillance activities of imported products at a retail store in Massachusetts.
The recalled packages include 16-ounce plastic bag packages containing “Cá Viên Trắng WHITE FISH BALLS” with item number “81142103” printed on the label; 2-kilogram plastic bag packages containing “Cá Viên Trắng WHITE FISH BALLS” with item number “81142102” on the label; 16-ounce plastic bag packages containing “Cá Viên Chiên FRIED FISH BALLS” with item number “81142101” on the label; and 2-kilogram plastic bag packages containing “Cá Viên Chiên FRIED FISH BALLS” with item number “81142100” on the label.
“The product does not bear an establishment number nor a USDA mark of inspection,” FSIS said.
Though the products were recalled, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consuming the products, FSIS confirmed.
Nevertheless, FSIS still said it is concerned that some products may be in retail locations or consumers’ freezers and is urging retailers that have purchased the products not to sell them. Additionally, consumers who have purchased the recalled fish balls are urged not to consume them.
“These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the agency said.
