Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Seabear Alehouse Clam Chowder and Smoked Salmon Chowder recall: Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum

Seabear Seafood — recalled seafoodSeabear Seafood — recalled seafood (photo 2)Seabear Seafood — recalled seafood (photo 3)Seabear Seafood — recalled seafood (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Botulism risk

The concern here is Clostridium botulinum. Under-processed shelf-stable food can allow the toxin to form inside a sealed, normal-looking container.

What the notice says: SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder) , because it has the 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
March 15, 2025
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Seabear
Product type
Seafood
Distribution
Nationwide
UPC codes
034507070013, 034507070211
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Alehouse Clam Chowder and Smoked Salmon Chowder

What the company announced

SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder) , because it has the 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.

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 Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder were distributed through physical retail stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington and direct home delivery via SeaBear’s website ( https://seabear.com/ ) nationwide between 10/1/2024 and 03/14/2025.

The recalled SeaBear Smokehouse chowder products are shelf stable and packaged in a 12oz dark blue pouch. The impacted lot codes are found on back of pouch.

  • Recall Product: SeaBear Salmon Chowder Net wt.12oz. · Brand: SeaBear Smokehouse · UPC: 0 34507 07001 3 · Impacted Lot Codes: 64242902 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 64242912 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 64242972 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 64242982 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 64243042 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 64243052 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 64243121 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 64243131 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 64243191 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 64243201 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 64243651 SALCH – Enjoy by: 12/2028 64250031 SALCH – Enjoy by: 1/2029 64250291 SALCH – Enjoy by: 1/2029 64250301 SALCH – Enjoy by: 1/2029
  • Recall Product: Alehouse Clam Chowder Net wt 12oz · Brand: SeaBear Smokehouse · UPC: 0 34507 07021 1 · Impacted Lot Codes: 64241641 ALECH – Enjoy by: 6/2028 64241643 ALECH – Enjoy by: 6/2028 64241661 ALECH – Enjoy by: 6/2028 64243251 ALECH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 64243261 ALECH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 64250222 ALECH – Enjoy by: 1/2029 64250241 ALECH – Enjoy by: 1/2029

No illnesses have been reported to date.

SeaBear initiated a voluntary recall after they became aware of a pouch seal issue from a customer complaint. Upon further investigation, they identified a mechanical issue with equipment, which caused seals to not fully bond and made some pouches leak.

Consumers who have purchased SeaBear’s Smoked Salmon Chowder or Alehouse Chowder are urged not to consume products and should contact SeaBear’s customer service team at 1-800- 645-3474 or [email protected] for a full refund. SeaBear’s customer service hours are Monday-Friday 7am-5:30pm PST.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 034507070013
  • 034507070211

Lot or batch code

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

  • 64242902 SALCH
  • 64241641 ALECH

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 10/2028 64242912 SALCH
  • 10/2028 64242972 SALCH
  • 10/2028 64242982 SALCH
  • 10/2028 64243042 SALCH
  • 10/2028 64243052 SALCH
  • 10/2028 64243121 SALCH
  • 11/2028 64243131 SALCH
  • 11/2028 64243191 SALCH
  • 11/2028 64243201 SALCH
  • 11/2028 64243651 SALCH
  • 12/2028 64250031 SALCH
  • 1/2029 64250291 SALCH
  • 1/2029 64250301 SALCH
  • 1/2029
  • 6/2028 64241643 ALECH
  • 6/2028 64241661 ALECH
  • 6/2028 64243251 ALECH
  • 11/2028 64243261 ALECH
  • 11/2028 64250222 ALECH
  • 1/2029 64250241 ALECH

Package size

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

  • 12 oz

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

Seabear — The concern here is Clostridium botulinum. Under-processed shelf-stable food can allow the toxin to form inside a sealed, normal-looking container.

  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.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased SeaBear’s Smoked Salmon Chowder or Alehouse Chowder are urged not to consume products and should contact SeaBear’s customer service team at 1-800- 645-3474 or [email protected] for a full refund.

Company contact: Seabear Company — Consumers: SeaBear’s customer service team, 800-645-3474, [email protected] — Media: Brad Pitalo, 800-645-3474

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 Seabear seafood recalled?

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder) , because it has the 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: UPC 034507070013, 034507070211; lot code 64242902 SALCH, 64241641 ALECH; best-by date 10/2028 64242912 SALCH or 10/2028 64242972 SALCH. 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 who have purchased SeaBear’s Smoked Salmon Chowder or Alehouse Chowder are urged not to consume products and should contact SeaBear’s customer service team at 1-800- 645-3474 or [email protected] for a full refund.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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