According to a report from the CFIA, the recalled products were sold in bulk as 4.54 kg packages of fish fillets, with no brand markings on the outer packaging. However, official documents show that the recall is being carried out by Blundell Seafoods in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
This recall has been classified as a "Class 3 Recall," meaning that the product poses a potential health risk but has not yet caused serious consequences. The CFIA stated that AOZ is a tissue-bound metabolite of furazolidone, a nitrofuran antibiotic that is completely banned in Canada and many other countries for use in food animals due to potential health hazards to humans from long-term consumption.
The CFIA has instructed retailers, distributors, and food service establishments (including hotels and restaurants) to immediately stop selling or supplying the affected batch of products. The batch has been distributed to the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
The recalled product has a barcode of UPC 0000000011976, a batch number of VN 026VI 0374 CAN, and a production date of May 25, 2025, with an expiration date of May 27, 2025.
The CFIA emphasized that it is monitoring the relevant companies to ensure that the problematic products are completely removed from the market and continues to conduct sampling tests to ensure the safety of the food supply chain.
This incident has once again raised concerns within the industry about the quality management of the supply chain for Vietnamese basa fish. In recent years, the export volume of Vietnamese basa fish has continued to grow in the global market, but some batches of products have been reported or returned in high-standard markets such as Europe and the United States due to drug residues and labeling issues. Industry insiders pointed out that in order to establish a foothold in the high-end market, Vietnamese aquatic enterprises must further strengthen the monitoring of the breeding process and the standards of pre-export testing to avoid damaging the industry's international reputation due to individual incidents.