Botulism fears prompt 'Finest at Sea' seafood recall
Customers are advised to throw out four seafood products with the brand name Bruno's Best
Vancouver Coastal Health is warning customers of Finest at Sea Ocean Products not to consume four varieties of Bruno's Best ready-to-eat seafood products.
The health authority says the four products sold under the brand name "Bruno's Best" have been recalled because they could potentially grow Clostridium botulinum.
The products are:
- Bruno’s Best Tuna Confit
- Bruno’s Best BC Octopus Conserva
- Bruno’s Best House Smoked BC Sardines
- Bruno’s Best House Smoked Pacific Oysters
They were sold between June 1 and Oct 1 at Finest at Sea stores at 4675 Arbutus St. and 1805 Mast Tower, Granville Island in Vancouver.
During an inspection, Vancouver Coastal Health says inspectors discovered the products were not properly processed using valid food safety standards.
It says the retailer is cooperating fully and has stopped selling the items and there are no reported cases of illness.
Vancouver Coastal Health botulism advisory
Clostridium botulinum toxin in food or beverages can cause foodborne botulism, which is a rare, but potentially life-threatening bacterial illness.
Food contaminated with the toxin may not look or smell spoiled, but when ingested can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dry throat, respiratory failure or paralysis.
Most people with botulism develop symptoms 12 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food.
Foodborne botulism poisoning is extremely rare.