Island Soups Co. Inc. is recalling six flavors of its soups after federal inspectors found the company does not have records to show the soups were sufficiently processed to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism poisoning.
The company, based in St. Albans, NY, sold the recalled soups via the internet, according to the recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. No illnesses had been reported in connection with the recalled soup as of today.
“FDA inspection of the establishment reveals that the firm does not have valid process schedules or process documentation to ensure that these soup products have been sufficiently processed to prevent the growth of,” according to the recall notice.
An undated statement on the Island Soups website says the company’s soup is not available in retail stores, but the site also includes a list of 31 stores on a “retail partners” page. All of the stores are in New Jersey and New York.
“Currently the soups are under review by the Food and Drug Administration and cannot be shelved in Supermarkets until the review is complete,” according to the Island Soups website. “We do not use preservative in our soups. Our soups are kept fresh through our heating and cooling processes.”
The recall involves only six varieties of soup, all sold in glass jars with white lids. All of the recalled soup is in 16-ounce jars. They have best-by dates beginning in July 2015 and running through June 2018. The specific varieties of Island Soups under recall are:
Gungo Peas Soup;
Gungo Peas Soup no meat;
Red Peas Soup;
Red Peas Soup no meat;
Mannish Water, and
Fish Soup.
“Consumers should segregate and destroy any of the identified products,” according to the recall notice.
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 distention and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
