Check your freezer: These fish products were just recalled in three states
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If fish is a staple in your kitchen or your favorite order at the local seafood spot, there's an important recall you should know about.
A major supplier in the Gulf region has pulled nearly 100,000 pounds of catfish from shelves and restaurants after it was discovered that the products skipped a key safety step.
The recall affects a range of frozen and stuffed catfish items that were sold in several states.
While no illnesses have been reported so far, experts are urging consumers to act with caution.
Here's what you need to know to stay safe—and what to do if you've bought any of these items.
What products are being recalled?
Quality Poultry & Seafood, Inc., a seafood distributor based in Mississippi, is voluntarily recalling approximately 96,000 pounds of frozen and stuffed catfish fillet products.
According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the issue is that these products were produced without required federal inspection.
The affected products include:
These products were distributed to restaurants, retail stores, and directly from the company’s storefront in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Also read: Salmonella outbreak prompts expanded frozen vegetable recall
Why is this a concern?
Federal inspection is a key part of the food safety process.
Without it, there’s no guarantee that the products meet health standards or are free of contamination.
Potential risks from uninspected products include:
For seniors, young children, and those with weakened immune systems, these risks can be especially serious.
Also read: A popular snack is under recall—check your pantry before you grab a bite
How did the issue come to light?
The FSIS reported that the problem was discovered when Quality Poultry & Seafood self-reported their production of these catfish products.
Upon review, FSIS confirmed that the items had not undergone the legally required inspections.
The company has stated that they are fully cooperating with federal authorities and taking steps to improve their food safety practices moving forward.
Also read: FDA issues recall for over 64,000 pounds of butter
What should you do if you have these products?
If you’ve purchased any of the recalled catfish items, the FSIS advises:
Also read: Is your morning coffee safe? Urgent recall issued over possible glass contamination
Have there been any reported illnesses?
As of now, no illnesses or adverse reactions have been linked to the recalled products.
However, the FSIS emphasizes that lack of inspection means possible unknown health risks.
If you or someone in your household experiences unusual symptoms—especially allergic reactions or stomach discomfort—after eating catfish, reach out to a medical provider promptly.
Also read: Nationwide recall for a popular deodorant—could yours be among them?
Why are food recalls happening more often?
While recalls can seem alarming, they often reflect better detection and stricter enforcement.
The FSIS and FDA have improved their ability to trace, test, and flag issues quickly.
On the flip side, our food system has become more complex, with products traveling through multiple facilities before reaching your plate.
So far in 2025, there have been recalls affecting everything from produce to frozen meals, often involving concerns like contamination or labeling errors.
Also read: Is your favorite Hostess snack on the recall list? Find out if you're at risk from hidden mold!
Tips to stay safe during food recalls
Here are a few easy ways to protect yourself and your household:
This latest catfish recall is a reminder that food safety starts with awareness.
If you live in Mississippi, Alabama, or Louisiana—or have family in those areas—take a moment to check your freezer and pass along the news.
Keeping our kitchens safe is something we can all do together.
Read next: A new honey recall may affect your pantry—check these jars before you take another spoonful
Here at The GrayVine, we know how important food is to your routine and traditions. Have you ever had to toss out a favorite product because of a recall? Or do you have tips for how you stay on top of food safety alerts? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
A major supplier in the Gulf region has pulled nearly 100,000 pounds of catfish from shelves and restaurants after it was discovered that the products skipped a key safety step.
The recall affects a range of frozen and stuffed catfish items that were sold in several states.
While no illnesses have been reported so far, experts are urging consumers to act with caution.
Here's what you need to know to stay safe—and what to do if you've bought any of these items.
Be careful with your catfish—some products, like these, were recalled for skipping federal inspection. Check labels before cooking. Image Source: Pexels / Salim Da.
What products are being recalled?
Quality Poultry & Seafood, Inc., a seafood distributor based in Mississippi, is voluntarily recalling approximately 96,000 pounds of frozen and stuffed catfish fillet products.
According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the issue is that these products were produced without required federal inspection.
The affected products include:
- Frozen fillets in plastic bags labeled "Varied Catfish Miscut Fillets, Farm Raised Catfish Product of USA" in both 5-pound and 15-pound packages
- Frozen fillets labeled "Irregular Catfish Shank Fillet" and "Irregular Catfish Random Fillet", also in 5-pound and 15-pound packages
- Stuffed fillets labeled "Catfish Fillet Stuft w/ Crabmeat Dressing" and "Stuffed Catfish" in 9-ounce vacuum-sealed packaging
These products were distributed to restaurants, retail stores, and directly from the company’s storefront in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Also read: Salmonella outbreak prompts expanded frozen vegetable recall
Why is this a concern?
Federal inspection is a key part of the food safety process.
Without it, there’s no guarantee that the products meet health standards or are free of contamination.
Potential risks from uninspected products include:
- Undeclared allergens, such as shellfish, which can be dangerous for those with food sensitivities
- Foodborne pathogens, including listeria or salmonella
- Improper labeling or handling that could increase the risk of illness
For seniors, young children, and those with weakened immune systems, these risks can be especially serious.
Also read: A popular snack is under recall—check your pantry before you grab a bite
How did the issue come to light?
The FSIS reported that the problem was discovered when Quality Poultry & Seafood self-reported their production of these catfish products.
Upon review, FSIS confirmed that the items had not undergone the legally required inspections.
The company has stated that they are fully cooperating with federal authorities and taking steps to improve their food safety practices moving forward.
Always check product labels—these farm-raised catfish fillets are part of the current recall due to missing federal inspection. Image Source: USDA.
Also read: FDA issues recall for over 64,000 pounds of butter
What should you do if you have these products?
If you’ve purchased any of the recalled catfish items, the FSIS advises:
- Do not eat them, even if they look or smell normal.
- Return them to the store or restaurant for a refund or safe disposal.
- Restaurants and food service providers should immediately stop serving the affected items.
- For more information, contact the company directly at [email protected].
Check the labels carefully—if you see these, your product may be part of the recall. Image Source: USDA.
Also read: Is your morning coffee safe? Urgent recall issued over possible glass contamination
Have there been any reported illnesses?
As of now, no illnesses or adverse reactions have been linked to the recalled products.
However, the FSIS emphasizes that lack of inspection means possible unknown health risks.
If you or someone in your household experiences unusual symptoms—especially allergic reactions or stomach discomfort—after eating catfish, reach out to a medical provider promptly.
Check your freezer for these labels—products marked “Catfish Fillet Stuft w/ Crabmeat Dressing” or “Stuffed Catfish” are included in the current recall and were distributed without federal inspection.Image Source: USDA.
Also read: Nationwide recall for a popular deodorant—could yours be among them?
Why are food recalls happening more often?
While recalls can seem alarming, they often reflect better detection and stricter enforcement.
The FSIS and FDA have improved their ability to trace, test, and flag issues quickly.
On the flip side, our food system has become more complex, with products traveling through multiple facilities before reaching your plate.
So far in 2025, there have been recalls affecting everything from produce to frozen meals, often involving concerns like contamination or labeling errors.
Also read: Is your favorite Hostess snack on the recall list? Find out if you're at risk from hidden mold!
Tips to stay safe during food recalls
Here are a few easy ways to protect yourself and your household:
- Check your freezer and pantry regularly, especially after reading recall notices.
- Sign up for alerts from the FDA or USDA to stay ahead of safety warnings.
- Always read product labels carefully, especially if you or a loved one has food allergies.
- When in doubt, throw it out—it’s not worth risking your health over questionable food.
This latest catfish recall is a reminder that food safety starts with awareness.
If you live in Mississippi, Alabama, or Louisiana—or have family in those areas—take a moment to check your freezer and pass along the news.
Keeping our kitchens safe is something we can all do together.
Read next: A new honey recall may affect your pantry—check these jars before you take another spoonful
Here at The GrayVine, we know how important food is to your routine and traditions. Have you ever had to toss out a favorite product because of a recall? Or do you have tips for how you stay on top of food safety alerts? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
