Warning on Mislabeled Monkfish
FDA is warning consumers not to buy or eat imported fish labeled as monkfish, which actually may be puffer fish, containing a potentially deadly toxin called tetrodotoxin. Eating puffer fish that contain this potent toxin can result in serious illness or death.
Monkfish do not contain tetrodotoxin. The mislabeled product was imported and distributed by Hong Chang Corp., Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
The deadly toxin is not destroyed by common food preparation or storage, such as cooking or freezing. Two people in the Chicago area became ill after consuming homemade soup containing the fish. One was hospitalized due to severe illness. FDA's analysis of the fish confirmed the presence of potentially life-threatening levels of tetrodotoxin.
Symptoms
- Occur initially 30 minutes to several hours after eating food containing the toxin.
- Characterized initially by tingling of the lips and tongue.
- Followed by tingling of the face and extremities, and numbness.
- May include headache, balance problems, excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- May include paralyzed muscles, and death may follow from respiratory muscle paralysis in severe cases.
Steps for Consumers
- Contact your retailer and ask if the product was received from Hong Chang Corp, if you are concerned that you may have purchased this fish.
- Don't eat the product; throw it away.
- Exercise care when handling the fish. The tetrodotoxin may be present on the skin and flesh of the fish. Wash hands thoroughly after handling the fish.
- Seek immediate medical care if you experience symptoms of tetrodotoxin poisoning.
- Report your illness to local health authorities.
The Mislabeled Fish
- 282 22-pound boxes labeled as monkfish were distributed to wholesalers in Illinois, California, and Hawaii beginning in September 2006. These fish were then sold to restaurants or in stores. In one instance, the retailer labeled the fish as "bok," the Korean name for puffer fish.
- The white 22-pound boxes were labeled in black ink.
- One box panel is labeled as: "FROZEN MONKFISH GUTTED AND HEAD-OFF" and "PRODUCT OF CHINA."
- A second panel bears nutritional facts and the following: "Ingredients: Monk fish; Imported by: Hong Chang Corp, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670; Product of China (P.R.C.)."
- A third panel has a checkbox indicating the size as either "0.5-1" or "1-2" and shows the net weight as 22 pounds.
- There are no manufacturing codes on the box.
- The fish in the box are individually wrapped in plastic bags with no labeling.
FDA allows puffer fish to be imported into the United States only under strict provisions that minimize the risk of the toxin being present in the fish. The recalled fish were not imported in compliance with those restrictions. FDA is examining all entries from the Chinese supplier and will take additional action if warranted.
View a photo of the mislabeled monkfish at www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/hongchang05_07.html.
Date Posted: May 29, 2007
