To: Health Commissioners, Environmental Health Directors, Nursing Directors, ODA Food Safety Specialists, and Other Interested Parties

Subject:                 Recall Announcement  (ODA/ODH) 2000-29

Date:                     August 30, 2000

Global Seafood LLC d.b.a. Morey Fish Company implements product recall

261.8 pounds of Morey’s® Smoked Canadian Lake Trout recalled from
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin due to possible Salmonella contamination

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (August 29, 2000)—Global Seafood LLC President and Chief Executive Officer Dieter Pape announced this morning the recall of 261.8-lbs. of Morey’s® Smoked Canadian Lake Trout in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstance, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Morey’s® Smoked Canadian Lake Trout products included in this recall were distributed to retail stores, and carry on their perishable label (displayed on the front of the tray-packed cellophane-wrapped package) a lot number “3616” and “Processed” number of “225” and a “Not To Be Sold or Consumed After” date of “9/16/00.” The products have been available for purchase in supermarkets since August 15.

This recall includes 261.8 lbs. of Morey’s® Smoked Canadian Lake Trout produced at the company’s Motley, Minnesota manufacturing facility on August 12, 2000. No illnesses have been reported related to this recall.

The company was informed late yesterday by the Michigan Department of Agriculture that a single .69 lb. package of this product, taken from a supermarket in Michigan during routine testing on August 21, 2000, tested positive for Salmonella. It is not known if the Salmonella found was restricted only to the sample tested; thus all of the specific lot of product has been recalled as a precautionary measure. Morey Fish Company is working closely with the FDA to ensure quick recovery of the recalled product. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Customers are asked to check any purchased Morey’s® Smoked Canadian Lake Trout that they may have at home for the above mentioned numbers, and if they match, to return the product to the store of purchase for a full refund. No other Morey’s products, including Morey’s® Smoked Canadian Lake Trout with any other “Processed” or “Not To Be Sold or Consumed After” dates, are affected by this recall.

Customers with additional questions are asked to call Morey’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-808-FISH (3474).  Morey Fish Company’s number one manufacturing concern is the quality and safety of its products. The company has never previously experienced a product recall.