WASHINGTON, DC (February 19, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) announced that Sobico USA LLC is recalling approximately 13,464 pounds of frozen, raw Siluriformes fish products imported from Vietnam after the products failed to undergo required federal import reinspection. According to the agency, the products entered U.S. commerce without meeting FSIS verification procedures designed to ensure food safety.
Regulators identified the issue during a review of import requirements, leading the company to notify FSIS and initiate the recall. No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date.
Sobico USA recall: quick summary
The recall affects frozen Siluriformes fish products produced in Vietnam and distributed to wholesalers and retailers in five U.S. states. USDA FSIS confirmed the products bypassed mandatory import reinspection, a critical safeguard in the federal food safety system. Although officials have reported no health impacts, FSIS urges consumers not to consume the affected fish. The agency is conducting effectiveness checks to ensure retailers and customers remove the recalled products from store shelves and homes.
Official recall details
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Recall date: February 19, 2026
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Announced by: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
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Company: Sobico USA LLC
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Product: Shera Broadhead Clarias fish (whole/gutted and steaks)
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Issue: Imported without the benefit of FSIS import reinspection
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Product details: Best before date: June 23, 2027 ||| 36-lb. cases of vacuum-packed “Shera BROADHEAD CLARIAS FISH WHOLE/GUTTED,” 10–18 oz per piece ||| 36-lb. cases of vacuum-packed “Shera BROADHEAD CLARIAS FISH STEAKS,” 1.8 lbs per package ||| Establishment No. DL 811, shipping mark VN/811/IV/107
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Consumer instructions: Do not consume. Throw away or return to the place of purchase.
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Stick around to find out more about this recall.
What happened?
USDA FSIS said Sobico USA LLC initiated the recall after discovering that certain frozen Siluriformes fish products imported from Vietnam did not undergo the required import reinspection upon entering the United States.
“The problem was discovered and reported by the importer after a review of the FSIS import requirements and establishment procedural guidance,” the agency stated in its recall notice.
The producer made the affected fish on June 24, 2025, and distributed it to wholesalers and retail locations in Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, and Ohio. Products bear Vietnam Establishment No. DL 811 and best-before dates of June 23, 2027.
FSIS warned that some of the fish may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them,” the agency said, adding that the items should be discarded or returned.
The agency also emphasized that there have been “no confirmed reports of illness or injury due to consumption of these products.”
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | Best by date | Issue | Affected states |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shera | Broadhead Clarias fish whole/gutted | 10–18 oz per piece (36-lb case) | June 23, 2027 | No import reinspection | IN, MI, NE, NY, OH |
Shera | Broadhead Clarias fish steaks | 1.8 lbs per package (36-lb case) | June 23, 2027 | No import reinspection | IN, MI, NE, NY, OH |
What caused the issue?
According to the USDA FSIS notice, a regulatory failure triggered the recall rather than contamination. The importer brought the fish products into the United States without completing mandatory federal reinspection, which verifies safety documentation and physical product compliance.
Although officials have reported no illnesses, the agency warned that these lapses increase the risk of unsafe or unverified food entering the supply chain. The agency advises vulnerable groups (including older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems) to exercise extra caution.
Questions you might have
Frozen Shera Broadhead Clarias fish products sold as whole/gutted fish and fish steaks produced in Vietnam.
They were imported into the U.S. without completing required USDA FSIS import reinspection procedures.
No contamination has been confirmed. The recall is due to a regulatory inspection failure, not the detection of bacteria or allergens.
USDA FSIS has reported no confirmed illnesses or injuries linked to these products.
The fish was distributed to Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, and Ohio.
Check for Shera Broadhead Clarias fish with Establishment No. DL 811 and a best-before date of June 23, 2027.
Do not eat it. Return it to the store or throw it away immediately.
Monitor for symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if you feel unwell.
It ensures imported food meets U.S. safety standards before reaching consumers.
Consumers can contact Sobico USA LLC directly or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline for food safety questions.
Here’s what you should do
- Do not eat the recalled fish products.
- Throw them away or return them to the store where purchased.
- Check the label for “Shera Broadhead Clarias Fish,” Establishment No. DL 811, and best-before date June 23, 2027.
- For questions or refunds, contact Sobico USA LLC at 770-570-7077 or [email protected].
Behind the brand
Sobico USA LLC is a seafood importer based in West Hartford, Connecticut, specializing in fish products sourced from Vietnam and other international suppliers.
In its recall notice, the company stated that it “ceased distribution of the affected product” and is cooperating fully with USDA FSIS to ensure compliance with import requirements. Source86 reached out to Sobico USA LLC for additional comment on how the lapse occurred but has not yet received a response.
Other relevant recalls
This recall follows several recent incidents involving imported food products and inspection gaps, highlighting ongoing challenges in documentation and border-entry compliance. Food safety specialists note that regulatory missteps often occur during import verification and reinspection procedures. In recent months, similar cases have included Mays Chemical Company’s recall of 46,315 pounds of frozen pork loins over an import inspection lapse, Maître Saladier’s recall of Lorraine quiche due to an import reinspection failure, Ghanaianway’s recall of salted lamb for lack of inspection, and Quality Poultry & Seafood’s recall of catfish fillets over missing inspection requirements. Together, these recalls underscore the importance of strict oversight and traceability for imported foods entering the U.S. market.
“Imported foods don’t have the same level of regulation when it comes to things like irrigation water and food safety practices,” said Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, noting that reduced oversight of foreign facilities can weaken the U.S. food safety system.
While the Sobico recall highlights the critical importance of strict regulatory inspections for imported seafood, another fish-related issue is currently triggering safety alerts for an entirely different reason. If you have recently purchased imported kimchi, you need to check your fridge for a potentially dangerous undeclared allergen. Find out which brands are being pulled from shelves due to hidden anchovies in our coverage of the Ocinet & Kimchi Recall Over Undeclared Fish.
As Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the Sobico USA recall highlights a broader issue:
“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.”
Ensuring safe eats
This recall underscores the importance of strict import controls in the U.S. food system. As global sourcing grows, companies must strengthen oversight and verification to prevent similar lapses. Consumers should check their freezers and follow disposal guidance immediately.
At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision, preparing supply chains to respond quickly when recalls occur. Contact us.
