MAMTAKIM recalls dried whole smelts salted over botulism contamination risk

ELIZABETH, NJ (November 25, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that MAMTAKIM Inc is recalling BELEVINI brand DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA) because the product consists of dried, uneviscerated fish longer than 5 inches, which has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. According to the FDA, this bacterium can cause a severe, life threatening illness or death. Consumers are strongly advised not to consume this product, even if it does not appear spoiled. No illnesses have been reported to date.

MAMTAKIM recall: Quick summary

MAMTAKIM Inc, located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, has initiated a voluntary recall of BELEVINI brand DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA) after an FDA inspection revealed the fish had not been properly eviscerated. The 5.29 oz vacuum sealed packages were sold exclusively at Cherry Hill Emmons retail store in Brooklyn, New York, to walk in customers. The recall was triggered because Clostridium botulinum spores are concentrated in fish viscera, and uneviscerated fish longer than 5 inches pose a serious botulism risk. Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning that can cause general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and difficulty breathing. Consumers who purchased the product with expiration date 04/08/2026 should return it immediately for a full refund and not consume it under any circumstances.

What happened?

The FDA said MAMTAKIM Inc initiated the recall after an FDA inspection and analysis determined that the fish had not been properly eviscerated. The company told regulators the product consists of dried, uneviscerated fish longer than 5 inches, creating conditions that could allow Clostridium botulinum to grow.

The recall was announced on November 25, 2025, in coordination with the FDA. MAMTAKIM Inc, located at 888 Magnolia Avenue in Elizabeth, New Jersey, distributed the product exclusively through its retail location at Cherry Hill Emmons, 1901 Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235. The product was sold only to walk in customers at this single location, limiting the geographic scope of the recall.

The recalled BELEVINI DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA) comes in transparent vacuum sealed plastic pouches with a net weight of 5.29 oz (150 g). The packages feature a blue label with a picture of the fish and can be identified by barcode 0754684898995 and expiration date 04/08/2026. The product was stored refrigerated at temperatures between 18°F and 68°F.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “this bacterium can cause a severe, life threatening illness or death. Consumers are strongly advised not to consume this product, even if it does not appear spoiled.”

The agency further stated that “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 distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.”

While the FDA has not posted about this specific recall on social media platforms, similar fish recalls due to improper evisceration have generated significant consumer concern online. Food safety advocates have consistently emphasized the importance of proper fish processing to prevent botulism contamination in dried and preserved seafood products.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Expiration date	Issue	Distribution
BELEVINI	DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA)	5.29 oz (150 g)	0754684898995	04/08/2026	Clostridium botulinum	Brooklyn, NY (Cherry Hill Emmons only)

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, the recall was triggered by an FDA inspection that revealed improper evisceration of the fish. The agency confirmed that uneviscerated fish longer than 5 inches pose a significant public health hazard because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish.

Company officials said in the statement that the product consists of dried, uneviscerated fish, which creates conditions where the bacterium can potentially grow and produce deadly toxin. Clostridium botulinum thrives in low oxygen environments, making vacuum sealed packages particularly susceptible if fish have not been completely eviscerated.

Botulism is one of the most serious foodborne illnesses, caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The toxin attacks the body’s nerves and can cause muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, and death if left untreated. What makes botulism particularly dangerous is that the toxin cannot be detected by smell or appearance—contaminated fish may look and smell completely normal.

People most at risk include anyone who consumes the contaminated product, though those with weakened immune systems, elderly adults, and young children may be particularly vulnerable to severe complications. Symptoms of botulism typically include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that botulism is a medical emergency. Even with treatment, recovery can take weeks or months. In severe cases, patients may require mechanical ventilation to support breathing until the toxin’s effects wear off.

Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. However, because symptoms can take several days to appear after consuming contaminated food, the FDA urges anyone who has eaten the product to monitor for symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if any develop.

Questions you might have

1. What should I do if I already consumed this product? Monitor yourself closely for symptoms of botulism including general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, or muscle weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Botulism is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.
2. How can I identify if I have the recalled product? Check for BELEVINI brand DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA) in transparent vacuum sealed plastic pouches with a blue label, barcode 0754684898995, and expiration date 04/08/2026. The package weighs 5.29 oz (150 g).
3. Where can I return the recalled product? Return the product to Cherry Hill Emmons at 1901 Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235 for a full refund.
4. What are the symptoms of Clostridium botulinum exposure? Symptoms include general weakness, dizziness, double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, dry mouth, muscle weakness, abdominal distension, and constipation.
5. Are other MAMTAKIM products affected? Only the BELEVINI DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA) with barcode 0754684898995 and expiration date 04/08/2026 is included in this recall.
6. How did the contamination occur? The FDA inspection determined the fish had not been properly eviscerated, meaning internal organs were not completely removed before processing, allowing potential Clostridium botulinum spores to remain.
7. Have any illnesses been reported? No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
8. Who should I contact with questions about the recall? Contact MAMTAKIM Inc at (718) 596 9577, (718) 596 0171, or email [email protected] with questions.
9. Why is proper evisceration so important for dried fish? Clostridium botulinum spores are concentrated in fish viscera. Without complete evisceration, these spores can survive the drying process and potentially produce deadly toxin under certain conditions.
10. Where was the recalled product sold? The product was sold only at Cherry Hill Emmons, 1901 Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235, to walk in customers.

Here’s what you should do

If you purchased BELEVINI DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA):

• Return the product immediately to Cherry Hill Emmons at 1901 Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235 for a full refund
• Do not consume the product under any circumstances, even if it appears and smells normal
• Check the label for barcode 0754684898995 and expiration date 04/08/2026 to identify the recalled product
• Look on the package for the BELEVINI brand name, transparent vacuum sealed pouch, and blue label with fish picture
• Dispose safely if you cannot return it by double bagging and placing in a secure trash can with a tight fitting lid
• Monitor for symptoms if you have already consumed the product, especially general weakness, double vision, or difficulty swallowing
• Contact MAMTAKIM Inc at (718) 596 9577, (718) 596 0171, or [email protected] with questions about the recall or refund process
• Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any symptoms of botulism, as this is a life threatening medical emergency

Behind the brand

MAMTAKIM Inc is located at 888 Magnolia Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, and operates as a distributor of specialty food products including imported dried and preserved fish items. The company serves ethnic communities, particularly those with Eastern European and Russian backgrounds who traditionally consume salted and dried fish products.

The company operates a retail location at Cherry Hill Emmons in Brooklyn, New York, an area known for its diverse immigrant communities. The BELEVINI brand focuses on traditional preserved fish products that are popular in these communities.

Source86 reached out to MAMTAKIM Inc for comment on what processing protocols are being reviewed to prevent future incidents and whether additional products may be affected, but has not yet received a response beyond the official recall statement.

The company’s recall notice states that it has ceased distribution of the affected product and is working with the FDA to ensure consumer safety.

Other relevant recalls

Earlier in November 2025, African Food on Wheels recalled oven dried fish sold at their Bronx location due to the same botulism risk from improper evisceration. The recalled product, identified as oven dried fish (SCOMBEROMORUS CAVALLA), was sold uneviscerated and measured greater than five inches in length, allowing Clostridium botulinum spores to potentially remain in the viscera. The recall was triggered after an FDA inspection, and like the MAMTAKIM recall, the product was sold only to walk in customers at a single retail location at 1376 Randall Avenue in the Bronx, New York. The African Food on Wheels recall underscores the recurring challenge facing small ethnic food retailers who serve immigrant communities with traditional preserved fish products that may not meet FDA processing requirements for botulism prevention.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said:

“The recurring pattern of uneviscerated fish recalls we’re seeing in 2025 is deeply troubling and suggests systemic gaps in both processing oversight and regulatory enforcement. Proper evisceration isn’t just about compliance—it’s about preventing deaths. For suppliers of dried, salted, and preserved fish products, this means implementing rigorous HACCP plans with verified critical control points, conducting thorough inspections at every stage, and ensuring workers understand that complete evisceration is literally a matter of life and death. Food safety isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about trust, transparency, and the fundamental responsibility to protect consumers.”

Ensuring safe eats

This recall serves as a critical reminder that traditional food preservation methods must be adapted to meet modern food safety standards. While dried and salted fish have been dietary staples in many cultures for centuries, the risks of botulism contamination are well documented and entirely preventable through proper processing.

For food manufacturers and importers, comprehensive Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans are essential. These plans must specifically address Clostridium botulinum control in fish products, including verification that suppliers properly eviscerate fish, maintaining appropriate processing conditions, and conducting regular testing to ensure safety standards are met. Complete evisceration requires removing not just the intestinal tract but all internal organs, and processors must train workers to recognize when evisceration is incomplete.

For consumers, particularly those who purchase traditional preserved fish products, awareness is crucial. If you have purchased BELEVINI DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA) from Cherry Hill Emmons with expiration date 04/08/2026, return it immediately for a refund. Do not taste or consume the product to determine if it’s safe botulism toxin cannot be detected by appearance, smell, or taste.

At Source86, we help food brands implement rigorous food safety protocols, conduct comprehensive supplier audits, and develop HACCP plans that address critical hazards like Clostridium botulinum in fish and seafood products. Our approach includes supplier verification, process validation, environmental monitoring, and ongoing oversight to ensure products meet the highest safety standards before reaching consumers. We specialize in helping ethnic food importers navigate FDA regulations while preserving traditional products that serve diverse communities. Contact us to learn how we can strengthen your food safety programs, protect your customers, and build trust in your brand.