Recall: Gold Star Smoked Fish Corp. recalls herring fillets

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of Rybacka Wies brand herring fillets in Oiii Matjes Sledz w oleju. Gold Star Smoked Fish Corp., a company based out of Brooklyn, NY., announced the recall Thursday.

The herring in question is packaged in 17.64 ounce, 500 gram plastic containers and has an expiration date of Oct. 31, 2013, stamped on the back of the container. The UPC number is 021143241228. It was sold nationwide and is an American product.

Routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets inspectors and laboratory personnel revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the fish product, a foodborne pathogen known to cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly consumers and those with weakened immune systems. Although healthy people may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

No illnesses have been reported to date in relation to this recall. Consumers are encouraged to return the herring fillets to the store they purchased it from.

Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking retail stores and food warehouses to make sure the recalled product is removed from sale.

Questions about this recall?
Consumers who purchased the affected herring fillets may contact Gold Star Smoked Fish Corp. directly at 718-522-5480.

To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information.