The CFIA announced a health hazard alert and a product recall against certain batches of smoked fish sold under the label Euromax Foods. The product is believed to be contaminated by the harmful bacteria Clostridium botulinum.

Clostridium botulinum is a harmful bacterial contaminant that is responsible for a kind of food poisoning known as botulism. Food that has been contaminated by Clostridium botulinum does not look or smell off, which is why consumers should always be vigilant to avoid Botulism. In healthy people, common symptoms of botulism include high fever, nausea, dry throat, double vision and severe headache. In people with weakened immunity, botulism might lead to more serious medical conditions like respiratory paralysis and failure. This kind of food poisoning might even lead to death. At the time that the recall was made, no illnesses that are related to the recalled product have been reported.

Specific information about the recalled smoked fish is the following:

Brand: Euromax Foods

Date Code (best by): 21DE11, 28DE11

Product description: smoked mackerel (includes fillets), smoked herring (includes fillets), smoked rainbow trout, smoked halibut, smoked white-fish

These products have been vacuum-packed and sold at the Euromax Foods store at190 Boivard Dr. West, Unit number 59 in Brampton,Ontario.

The CFIA is making sure that this product recall is effective. Consumers who believe they have purchased the affected product are advised to dispose of it. Consumers who have questions about the product or the recall can call either Euromax Foods (905-460-1375) or the CFIA (1-800-442-2342 or 1-800-465-7735).