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ResourcesTerra Medi LLC Recalls Karagounis Bros – Hellas Meze Golden Smoked Whole Herring Due to Improper Evisceration
Summary
Company Announcement Date:
May 13, 2026
FDA Publish Date:
May 14, 2026
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:
Product is an uneviscerated fish with potential for Clostridium botulinum contamination
Company Name:
Terra Medi LLC
Brand Name:
Hellas Meze
Product Description:
Hellas Meze Golden Smoked Whole Herring
Company Announcement
Terra Medi LLC of Long Island City, NY is recalling all of the imported Hellas Meze Golden Smoked Whole herring vacuum packaged because of improper evisceration of the fish. The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulation because Clostridium Botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning. Symptoms of botulism include dizziness, blurred or double vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficult in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distention and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
The product was distributed to MA, NJ, IL, and NY to retail stores and wholesale distributors.
The product is a single whole smoked herring visible through plastic vacuum packaging, refrigerated, and has a production date of 4/12/2025, best before 4/12/2026, L120425F54.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The product was found to be violative after sampling by the New York State department of agriculture and markets inspectors and subsequent analysis of Food Laboratory personnel.
Customers who have purchased the product are urged to not consume the fish and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers who have questions may contact the company at 718-932-9293.
Company Contact Information
Consumers:
718-932-9293
Product Photos
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* We believe that none of the product being recalled were processed or offered through the national office
* We strongly encourage you to notify your agencies within one business day from receipt of this notice.
* ALL cased and uncased inventories, both at the member level and agency level, need to be checked. This product may have entered member and agency warehouses through salvage, local donations, TEFAP, local purchases, retail pickups, food drives, or other avenues.
* For additional local details, please contact the Health Department(s) for the area(s) your food bank serves.
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About Feeding America Recall Notices
The Feeding America national office issues notifications of all national Class I and II recalls–those involving a health hazard situation in which there is reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death–and other recalls that may affect the safety of food supplied to network members.
The national office strongly encourages all member product solicitors, operations managers, and others involved in food and grocery distribution to regularly consult resources provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fsis_Recalls/index.asp. Additionally, members can often receive information on national, state, and local recalls by contacting their local health departments.
Feeding America National Office
Feeding America
161 N Clark, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60601
