Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

P. East Trading Corp Distributors Uneviscerated Salted Smoked Split Herring recall: Potential Foodborne Illness – Clostridium Botulinum

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential Foodborne Illness – Clostridium Botulinum

The hazard: Botulism risk

This notice is about a possible botulism risk, which is the one food recall where "I will deal with it later" is the wrong answer.

What the notice says: East Trading Corp. of Bronx, NY is recalling Salted Smoked Split Herring because the product was found to be over 5" in length and uneviscerated, as such having potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

Why it matters: This product may not have been processed in a way that reliably destroys Clostridium botulinum spores. The toxin they can produce in a sealed container is one of the most dangerous substances in food safety, and it is tasteless and odourless.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Botulism is a medical emergency. The CDC lists double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, a dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts in the face and moves down the body. In an infant, watch for poor feeding, a weak cry, drooping eyelids and unusual floppiness. Call 911 or go to an emergency department immediately if any of these appear after eating a recalled product — treatment works best when it is given early.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
June 10, 2025
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
P. East Trading Corp Distributors
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Connecticut, New Jersey, New York
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Products covered by this recall

Uneviscerated Salted Smoked Split Herring

What the company announced

P. East Trading Corp. of Bronx, NY is recalling Salted Smoked Split Herring because the product was found to be over 5" in length and uneviscerated, as such having potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

The sale of uneviscerated fish over 5" in length may contain Clostridium botulinum spores as they are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Botulism , a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The recalled "Salted Smoked Split Herring" was distributed to retail locations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut in 18 lbs. wooden boxes with container code Lot 1 PRC5073. The "Salted Smoked Split Herring" is a product of Canada manufactured by Sea Star Seafood Ltd.

The product was likely to be repacked by these retail locations in deli-style or other retail packaging. Retail packaging and coding will vary based on location of purchase. A list of locations that received and potentially sold the recalled products can be found below.

The "Salted Smoked Split Herring" was sampled by a New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector and subsequent analysis of the product by New York State Food Laboratory personnel confirmed the herring was not properly eviscerated prior to processing.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Consumers that have purchased "Salted Smoked Split Herring", from the following stores below, are advised not to eat it and should return it to the place of purchase for a full a refund. Consumers with questions may contact P. East Trading Corp. at (718) 991-6070 or Email at [email protected] or contact Jay Hong, Office Manager.

**Retail Locations:

PIONNER SUPERMARKET, Newark NJ

JOE'S MARKET #3, Irvington NJ

KEYFOOD SUPERMARKET, Laurelton NY

HAPPY FRUIT MARKET, Teaneck NJ

EXTRA SUPER MARKET, East Orange NJ

SUPER FRESH, Irvington NJ

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET, North Bergen NJ

FOOD WORLD SUPER FRESH, Middlesex NJ

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET, Fairview NJ

TROPICAL SUN SUPERMARKET, East Orange, NJ

IDEAL FOOD BASKET, Brooklyn NY

WILLIAM'S FARM #2, Yonkers NY

S & H FRUITS and VEGETABLES, Bronx NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET(Myrtle), Brooklyn NY

C TOWN SUPERMARKET, Brooklyn NY

KEY FOOD SUPERMARKET, Brooklyn NY

AMERICAS FOOD BASKET, Brooklyn NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET, Westbury NY

MK NY FISH & VEGETABLES, Bronx NY

TROPICAL DAIRY FARM CORP., Bronx NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET(161 ST), Bronx NY

VALUE FRESH MARKET INC, Hollis NY

IDEAL FOOD BASKET, Brooklyn NY

KEY FOOD FRESH, Brooklyn NY

LULUCOCO, INC, Spring Valley NY

CHOP SHOP FRESH MEAT MARKET, Brooklyn NY

MARKET FRESH, Newburgh NY

C TOWN SUPERMARKET, Hempstead NY

FAMILY BEST FARM, Brooklyn NY

ROSEDALE FRUIT, Jamaica NY

S WON PROVISION INC, Bronx NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKEL Hempstead NY

SUPER FRESH, Baldwin NY

FRUIT TREE FARM, Copiague NY

BROTHER'S PRODUCE CO., Bronx NY

GOLDEN CITRUS MARKET INC, Brooklyn NY

SHOP FAIR SUPERMARKET, Bronx NY

Y & R FARM INC., Brooklyn NY

JOHNS FARM MARKET, Queens NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET, New York NY

KEY FOOD SUPERMARKET, Far Rockaway NY

NEW UTICA FOOD MARKET CORP., Brooklyn NY

IDEAL FOOD BASKET, Brooklyn NY

JOY BEST FRUIT BROOKLYN NY

IDEAL FOOD BASKET SUPERMARKET, BROOKLYN NY

Z & H MINI MARKET, BROOKLYN NY

YELLOW MARKET, BROOKLYN NY

SK FARM EP CORP, BROOKLYN NY

K - SUPER MARKET, JAMAICA NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET(Mt Vernon), BRONX NY

BEST H&H, INC, BRONX NY

DK FAMILY PRODUCE, BROOKLYN NY

CO CO MARKET INC, BROOKLYN NY

MARKET FRESH, MIDDLETOWN NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET, BRIDGEPORT CT

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET(JUNIUS), BROOKLYN NY

BOGOPA FARMBRIA, QUEENS NY

BEST FARM MARKET, BROOKLYN NY

GREEN POINT, JAMAICA NY

J & D FARM MARKET CORP., JAMAICA NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET(MANHATTAN AVE), BROOKLYN NY

MANGO KING FARMERS MARKET, BROOKLYN NY

SUPER FRESH SUPERMARKET, BROOKLYN NY

GREEN FRUIT - SUTPHIN, JAMAICA NY

MERRICK COUNTRY FOODS, QUEENS NY

KINGSBRIDGE FARM, BRONX NY

ASIA SUPERMARKET INC / JD PRODUCE, SYRACUSE NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET(57), CORONA NY

LIBERTY PRODUCE CORP., RICHMOND HILL NY

GOLDEN MANGO FARM, OZONE PARK NY

KEY FOOD SUPERMARKET, BROOKLYN NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET(163), BRONX NY

FOOD BAZAAR SUPERMARKET, TRENTON NJ

WEST INDIAN FARM MARKET, QUEENS NY

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 1 PRC5073

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 18 lbs

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Botulism

P. East Trading Corp Distributors — This notice is about a possible botulism risk, which is the one food recall where "I will deal with it later" is the wrong answer.

  1. Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.
  2. Wash anything the contents spilled on with a bleach solution and wear gloves while you do it.
  3. If anyone has eaten it and has blurred vision, trouble swallowing or weakness, call 911 — this does not wait for an appointment.
  4. Do not open the container. If it is already open, do not sniff it — double-bag it and keep it away from children and pets.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers that have purchased "Salted Smoked Split Herring", from the following stores below, are advised not to eat it and should return it to the place of purchase for a full a refund.

Company contact: P. East Trading Corp Distributors — Consumers: P. East Trading Corp, or contact Jay Hong, Office Manager, (718) 991-6070, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was P. East Trading Corp Distributors other food products recalled?

Potential Foodborne Illness – Clostridium Botulinum East Trading Corp. of Bronx, NY is recalling Salted Smoked Split Herring because the product was found to be over 5" in length and uneviscerated, as such having potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: lot code 1 PRC5073. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers that have purchased "Salted Smoked Split Herring", from the following stores below, are advised not to eat it and should return it to the place of purchase for a full a refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Connecticut, New Jersey, New York.

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