Shining Sea Fish Co. Recalls Ma Cohen’s Kippered Herring Over Possible Clostridium botulinum Contamination

DETROIT, Mich. (May 11, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Shining Sea Fish Co. is recalling certain packages of Ma Cohen’s Kippered Herring because the smoked fish may contain Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause potentially fatal food poisoning. According to the FDA, the company sold uneviscerated fish longer than five inches, which can create conditions that allow the dangerous toxin to develop.

The company distributed the recalled products to retail grocery stores in Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Regulators urged consumers not to eat the product, even if it looks or smells normal.

Ma Cohen’s recall: quick summary

According to the FDA, Shining Sea Fish Co. issued the recall after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture found through routine testing that the fish had not been fully eviscerated. The company sold the affected Ma Cohen’s Kippered Herring in clear plastic packaging with foil labels across multiple lot numbers and expiration dates. The FDA has not received any reports of illness so far, but the agency warned consumers that botulism can cause severe or life-threatening symptoms. Regulators advised consumers to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

What happened?

The FDA said Shining Sea Fish Co. initiated the recall after routine testing by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture found that some smoked herring products had not been fully eviscerated. The company distributed catch-weight packages of Ma Cohen’s Kippered Herring in grocery stores across Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

According to the FDA, the company sold the recalled fish in clear plastic packages with foil labels that displayed the product name and lot information on the back. The company printed expiration dates directly on the packaging or retailers added them to stickers alongside the catch weight.

The FDA, in coordination with the company, announced the recall on May 5, 2026. Regulators warned consumers not to rely on appearance or odor when determining whether the fish is safe to eat.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “consumers should not use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.” The agency also noted that botulism symptoms may include “general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states
Ma Cohen’s	Kippered Herring	Catch-weight packages	Not listed	May 3, 2026	Potential Clostridium botulinum contamination	MI, MN, ND
Ma Cohen’s	Kippered Herring	Catch-weight packages	Not listed	May 12, 2026	Potential Clostridium botulinum contamination	MI, MN, ND
Ma Cohen’s	Kippered Herring	Catch-weight packages	Not listed	June 3, 2026	Potential Clostridium botulinum contamination	MI, MN, ND
Ma Cohen’s	Kippered Herring	Catch-weight packages	Not listed	July 22, 2026	Potential Clostridium botulinum contamination	MI, MN, ND

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, uneviscerated fish longer than five inches caused the issue. Fish that are not properly cleaned can create an environment where Clostridium botulinum may grow and produce toxins. The FDA considers botulism a serious and potentially fatal illness.

The agency confirmed that no illnesses had been reported at the time of the recall announcement. However, officials warned that symptoms can escalate quickly and may require immediate medical attention.

Older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk. Symptoms of botulism may include blurred or double vision, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, abdominal swelling, constipation, and breathing problems.

Company officials said they have permanently discontinued the affected product.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled fish products.
• Return the product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.
• Check the back label for lot numbers and expiration dates.
• Verify whether the product matches the recalled packaging description.
• Consumers with questions can contact Shining Sea Fish Co. at 1-313-542-2637 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST.

Behind the brand

Shining Sea Fish Co., based in Detroit, Michigan, produces smoked and preserved seafood products and distributes them through regional grocery retailers. The company markets its Ma Cohen’s line as traditional smoked fish offerings commonly sold in Midwestern markets.

In its recall notice, the company stated that it permanently discontinued the affected product after discovering the issue. The company also cooperates with regulators during the recall process.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows several recent food safety alerts involving seafood and ready-to-eat products. Similar recalls involving potential botulism contamination or improper processing have highlighted ongoing concerns about refrigerated seafood handling and packaging controls across the food industry. Recent examples include Liquid Blenz Corp’s recall of Good Brain Tonic over a possible botulism risk, Tops Friendly Markets’ recall of Christopher Ranch and Garland peeled garlic products due to botulism concerns, Tri-Union Seafoods identifying additional recalled Genova Tuna products tied to a potential botulism hazard, and Diva Fam Inc.’s recall of True Sea Moss Gel Superfood over possible botulism contamination.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said recalls like this reinforce the need for rigorous supply chain oversight and food safety verification throughout production.

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability,” Mizrahi said.

Broader pattern

This recall is the latest in a series of food recalls tied to contamination risks in refrigerated and smoked seafood products. Food safety regulators have increased scrutiny on seafood processing practices in recent years, particularly for products vulnerable to bacterial growth in low-oxygen packaging environments.

Industry experts say that recalls involving botulism concerns remain relatively rare but carry high urgency because of the potentially severe health consequences associated with the toxin.

Ensuring safe eats

The Shining Sea Fish Co. recall underscores how critical proper seafood processing and inspection procedures are for protecting public health. Even a single production issue can trigger widespread recalls and create serious safety concerns, particularly when companies distribute products across multiple states.

Preventing these incidents requires strong quality assurance systems, supplier accountability, routine testing, and careful packaging oversight throughout the supply chain. Consumers who purchased the recalled Ma Cohen’s Kippered Herring should avoid eating it and return it immediately for a refund.

At Source86, we help food brands strengthen ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision, helping companies respond quickly and responsibly when food safety incidents occur. Contact us.