Company recalls several fish products; botulism concerns cited

Government testing has shown the potential for the growth of Clostridium botulinum in certain fish products, causing Fresh 7 Baskets Limited to recall Aqua Okeano brand and Aqua Okeano/Seven Baskets brand products.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. The CFIA recall notice says no illnesses have been reported in relation to the implicated products.

Fresh 7 Baskets Limited reported distributing the recalled products in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. There may also have been nationwide distribution, but that had not been confirmed as of the posting of the recall notice.

“Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased,” according to the recall notice.

“Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.”

Botulism paralyzes muscles, including respiratory muscles, causing a very high percentage of patients to be placed on breathing machines.

Symptoms in adults can include facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking or including slurred speech, and a change in the sound of the voice, including hoarseness.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, generalized weakness, and paralysis. In all cases, botulism does not cause a fever. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The recall notice lists the following products:

For product photos, please click here.

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Codes
Aqua Okeano	Fish Ball with Cuttlefish	200 g	6 285048 270002	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23
Aqua Okeano	Fried Fish Ball	200 g	6 285048 270248	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23
Aqua Okeano	Handmade Fish Cake with Vegetable	300 g	6 285048 270484	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23
Aqua Okeano	White Fish Ball	200 g	6 285048 270316	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23
Aqua Okeano / Seven Baskets	Fish Ball with Cuttlefish	190 g	6 28504 82707 9	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23
Aqua Okeano / Seven Baskets	Fried Fish Ball	180 g	6 28504 82713 0	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23
Aqua Okeano / Seven Baskets	Handmade Fish Cake with Vegetable	270 g	6 28504 82751 2	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23
Aqua Okeano / Seven Baskets	White Fish Ball	180 g	6 28504 82711 6	All best before dates up to and including 2021 AU 23