Improperly Gutted Mackerel Being Recalled By The FDA For Potential Botulism

This may be one of the grossest-sounding food recalls of all time.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a nationwide recall of “The Duck” brand “Frozen Steamed Scomber Fish” because it wasn’t gutted properly. The error in fish processing was discovered at a local grocery store by agriculture inspectors in New York, where it’s illegal to sell fish who still have their intestines (and the literal crap within) inside of them.  This particular product has been distributed nationwide to retail stores with a red label marked “Product of Thailand” and UPC code 040459097206.

Incorrectly gutted fish have a high chance of containing spores of Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria known for poisoning people with botulinum toxin: the same chemical that was in the nacho cheese sauce from a gas station that killed a man last month.

The spores of this bacteria grow especially well in the poopy entrails of scomber fish (better known as mackerel), and can cause symptoms in people who consume them ranging from dizziness and blurred vision to muscle weakness, difficulty in breathing, and even paralysis.

Fortunately, no illnesses from these mackerel have yet to be reported, but if you do see them on shelves or in someone’s home, make sure to toss the fish and prevent anyone from contracting this horrible disease. If you’ve bought it, also make sure to discard of it ASAP.