Smoked fish scare

Buyers warned to return products at centre of scare

BATCHES of smoked halibut, smoked trout and smoked salmon have been recalled from supermarkets over concerns about the risk of the food poisoning bug botulism.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said the recall by Campsie Glen Smokehouse followed concerns about the company’s procedures to control Clostridium botulinum, which can lead to botulism.

The FSA said no trace of the toxin, which can cause “serious” food poisoning, had been found in tested products, but a recall was being carried out as a precaution.

It said the company, which is based in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, had been unable to demonstrate satisfactory controls aimed at preventing the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum.

The World Health Organisation warns the bug can cause paralysis of motor and autonomic nerves, usually starting with cranial nerves.

A statement from the FSA read: “Manufacturing controls aimed at preventing the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the company.

“The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum.

The botulinum toxin may cause a serious form of food poisoning called botulism. Although no trace of the toxin has been found in products tested, a recall from customers is being carried out as a precautionary measure.”

The affected products are Campsie Glen Smokehouse Smoked Halibut, Campsie Glen Smokehouse Trout and Campsie Glen Smokehouse Smoked Salmon in 100g packs with use-by dates of April 6, 11, 13 and 27.

The batch codes are 2063, 2064, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2069, 2070, 2071, and some of these codes may have the letter I, H or L at the end.

No other Campsie Glen Smokehouse products are known to be affected.

The statement added: “The Campsie Glen Smokehouse Ltd is recalling the affected batches and point-of-sale notices will be displayed in stores where the product is sold. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tells them what actions to take if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought one of the above products, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store where it was bought for a full refund.”

Botulism is an extremely rare illness and is caused by the toxin paralysing nerves and muscles. It can lead to blindness.

It is believed only one gramme could kill a million people.

In 2011, two siblings were treated in hospital in Glasgow for symptoms after they had eaten from an infected jar of Loyd Grossman curry sauce.

At the time, it led to a public health warning that consumers should not eat the brand’s korma sauce because of the risk of the potentially fatal food poisoning.

It is estimated the infection causes death in between five and 10 per cent of cases as a result of respiratory failure. Initial symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and difficulty speaking.

Last year two injecting heroin users were treated in hospital in Glasgow for possible botulism infections.

‘‘ If you have bought one of the products, do not eat it. Return it to the store where it was bought for a full refund