Little Mermaid Smoke House has issued a voluntary recall for smoked herring and pickled herring fish because the products were found to be uneviscerated, and have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism. The products were distributed in California. They were vacuum-sealed in packages and sold as whole fish. The following products are recalled:
- Little Mermaid Smoked Herring fish sold prior to 4/04/2013
- Little Mermaid Pickled Herring fish sold prior to 4/04/2013
There are no codes listed on the products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the products to be uneviscerated during an inspection. The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited due to the heightened risk of Clostridium botulinum contamination. Symptoms of botulism poisoning may include dizziness, double vision, general weakness, trouble speaking or swallowing. Less common symptoms may also include difficulty breathing, muscle weakness and constipation. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.