Out of an abundance of caution, Pennsylvania-based company IcelandicPlus has issued a recall of their Capelin dog and cat treats. Per FDA guidelines, fish over 5 inches long has the potential to cause botulism poisoning.
The FDA has determined that salt-cured, dried, or fermented un-eviscerated fish larger than 5 inches are linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning in humans between 1981 and 1987 and again in 1991.
IcelandicPlus released a statement of concern for their customers, human and animal:
“IcelandicPlus is family owned and run by pet parents who take the safety and wellbeing of its consumers and clients with the utmost importance, as such we are conducting this voluntarily recall to further protect our customers.”
As of this post, there have been no reported cases of illness in dogs or cats who consumed these treats. None of the products have tested positive for Clostridium botulinum, but due to the potential risk, IcelandicPlus decided in cooperation with the FDA to announce this voluntary product recall.
The company also says they plan to change their Capelin supplier to ensure that the fish used in their products are exclusively less than 5 inches going forward.
What’s Being Recalled
The products in question come in a clear plastic package or tube. They are labeled Icelandic+ Capelin:
- WHOLE FISH
- PURE FISH TREATS FOR DOGS
- PURE FISH TREATS FOR CATS
The bags weigh about 1.5 – 2.5 ounces, and the tubes weigh about 2.5 ounces.
UPC codes include:
- 8 5485400775 9
- 8 5485400711 7
- 8 5485400757 5
Lot numbers are 02/2020 to 02/2022.
Additional product images can be found on the FDA website.
What To Do If You Have The Treats
You should immediately discard these treats if you have them. Distributors, retailers, and consumers who bought IcelandicPlus’s Capelin can return it to the original purchase location for a refund. Most likely, they were purchased at a boutique or independent specialty pet store.
If you would like to contact the company’s customer service, you can reach them at 1-857-246-9559, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm EST.
About Botulism
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a nerve toxin. According to the CDC, symptoms usually begin with the muscles in the face. Additional warning signs include:
- Sudden spreading weakness starting in hind legs that moves to the front legs and neck.
- Severe weakness or paralysis of all four legs.
Other symptoms to look out for include: dizziness, difficulty breathing, abdominal distension, and constipation. Be aware that people handling contaminated foods are at risk of contracting illness, too.
Symptoms from foodborne botulism typically begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, the symptoms can start as quickly as 6 hours after consumption or as late as up to 10 days later.
If you have any concerns about your dog having botulism poisoning, please consult your veterinarian immediately. Addressing the issue quickly is critical!
H/T: Dog Food Advisor
Toledo, United States.
