Caviar Recalled Due to Improper Processing That May Lead to C. botulinum Growth

A Washington State seafood company is recalling its caviar after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested and found the product was low in salt concentration.  The issue was stated as potential Clostridium botulinum potential.


Article Citation:
A. H. W. HAUSCHILD and R. HILSHEIMER (1979) Effect of Salt Content and pH on Toxigenesis by Clostridium botulinum in Caviar. Journal of Food Protection: March 1979, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 245-248. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-42.3.245

Effect of Salt Content and pH on Toxigenesis by Clostridium botulinum in Caviar
A. H. W. HAUSCHILD* and R. HILSHEIMER
Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Protection Branch, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0L2

Bottled lumpfish caviar was prepared with different salt (NaCl) concentrations and pH, and injected with spores of Clostridium botulinum. Under abusive storage conditions (30 C), outgrowth and toxigenesis occurred at combinations of ≤ 3.95% salt in the water phase and pH ≥ 5.2, and of ≤ 4.67% salt and pH ≥ 5.6. No toxin was formed at salt concentrations of ≥ 5.56% or at pH ≤ 5.0. A survey of commercial caviar products showed that most of these had salt-pH combinations which would effectively inhibit C. botulinum at abusive temperatures during storage.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/awers-inc-recalls-grained-salmon-caviar-95g-because-possible-health-risk
AWERS, Inc. Recalls Grained Salmon Caviar 95g Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 15, 2019
FDA Publish Date: August 15, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
Company Name:AWERS, Inc.
Brand Name:AWERS
Product Description: Grained Salmon Caviar
 


Company Announcement
AWERS, Inc. of Bellevue, WA is recalling Grained Salmon Caviar 95g (Sockeye Salmon Caviar) with “BEST BEFORE OCT 07 2020”, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Grained Salmon Caviar 95g was distributed in California, New York, Oregon, Washington and product may have further distributed to other states and Canada.

Product is packed in a metal tin with Cyrillic lettering. The tin is green, with red and white writing with an easy open pull lid. The “BEST BEFORE OCT 07 2020” is printed on the bottom on the tin (See attached photo).

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The product was reviewed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and sent to a lab for testing. The analysis showed a lower than normal salt content, which can foster an anaerobic environment which is necessary to breed the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. No Clostridium botulinum bacteria was detected in product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers must inform AWERS, Inc. if they possess any Grained Salmon Caviar 95g tins with “BEST BEORE OCT 07 2020”. Customer must ship remaining affected product back to the firm or destroy it with permission from AWERS, Inc. for a full refund.

AWERS, Inc. can be reached by phone at (425) 747-7866, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 6 pm PST, or by email at awersinc1@gmail.com.