The Unexpected Reason Over 6,500 Pounds Of Fish Were Just Recalled
Have you ever tried swai fish? Also called Asian catfish, basa, and panga, according to Healthline, swai is a firm, white-fleshed, neutral-tasting fish that has become a popular import in the U.S. over the past few decades. Although swai is affordable and fairly healthy, it's a fish that's heavily farmed, which has a negative effect on surrounding environments, and swai is listed on the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program as a fish to avoid.
And there's another reason to avoid eating any swai you may have purchased recently: more than 6,500 pounds of the fish, which was recently imported from Vietnam, was recalled last Friday for an unexpected reason. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Illinois-based Corfu Foods, Inc., is recalling about 6,570 pounds of frozen swai filets that were shipped to institutions, restaurants, and fish stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. So if you live in one of these areas and have bought some swai recently, this recall might affect you.
The shipment of fish wasn't inspected when it arrived stateside
So why is so much swai being recalled? According to an advisory put out by the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the imported swai was not presented for reinspection when it reached U.S. shores. That means that although the fish was inspected in Vietnam, it was not reinspected after being shipped — ultimately, nothing might be wrong with the fish at all.
According to FSIS's announcement, the swai arrived in 15-pound bulk corrugated boxes containing various sizes of Pacific Dynasty swai filets, with the lot code VN 461 VI 354. Consumers may have purchased them either in bulk or individually at fish stores, and the fish was also purchased by restaurants and other institutions.
Though there have been no reported adverse reactions to the lot of swai, FSIS is urging customers who have the fish at home in the fridge or freezer to throw it out or return it where they bought it. For questions about the recall, you can contact the Director of Sales and Marketing at Corfu Foods, Inc., Chris Memmos, at 630-595-2510 or via email at cm@corfufoods.com.