Catfish Recalled Due to Illegal Antimicrobial Agent, Crystal Violet

A Louisiana company, Haring Catfish, is recalling catfish after USDA found high levels of  gentian violet, also known as crystal violet.  Crystal violet has been used in the past as an antimicrobial  having antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties, but has been discontinued for use in fish farms because it has been found to be carcinogenic.  According to an FDA bulletin - "CV [crystal violet] is readily absorbed into fish tissue from water exposure and is reduced metabolically by fish to the leuco moiety, leucocrystal violet (LCV).[4] Crystal violet is also mutagenic [along with malachite green, another dye that had been used for fish farms] and is not approved for use in aquaculture."


USDA Recall Notice
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-060-2016-release
Haring Catfish, Inc. Recalls Siluriformes Fish Products Due To Possible Adulteration
Class II Recall 060-2016
Health Risk: Low
Jul 14, 2016

En Español

Congressional and Public Affairs   Benjamin Bell  (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov

EDITORS NOTE: This release is being reissued to edit product descriptions.

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2016 – 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: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
11-lb. Cardboard boxes of ice packed “catfish” tails in plastic wrapping identified as HARING CATFISH and having Lot Code 2140 printed on the label.
15-lb. Cardboard boxes of IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) “catfish” steaks, filets, irregular filets, whole fish, strips and nuggets in plastic wrapping identified as HARING CATFISH and having Lot Code 2140 printed on the label.
30-lb. Cardboard boxes of ice packed “catfish” steaks, filets, irregular filets, whole fish, strips, nuggets, and 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. Media with questions about the recall can contact Dawn Payne, at (318) 724-6654.

Consumers with food safety questions can "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 10 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.