Fish imported from Vietnam recalled for lack of inspection

Richwell Group of California is recalling more than 55,000 pounds of sheat fish imported from Vietnam because it wasn’t presented for required re-inspection upon entering the United States.

The frozen fish, which has a two-year shelf life, was imported between April and December of last year and was shipped to retailers across the nation by City of Industry-based Richwell, doing business as Maxfield Seafood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said Tuesday.

The recall applies to 14-ounce clear bags of two varieties of Maxfield Seafood Sheat Fish — labeled as “Ca Tren Ket” and “Ca Tren Rang” — with expiration dates of March 24, April 3, Oct. 7, Oct. 8, Nov. 13, Nov. 15, Dec. 22 or Dec. 27, 2020. Some labels on the latter variety of fish lack expiration dates.

The inspection problem was discovered on Jan. 30, during FSIS surveillance at the distributor facility.

It was the second recall in as many days of fish imported from Vietnam. It was announced on Monday that Q’s American Best Trading of Lakewood, Calif., is recalling 1,000 pounds of a similar fish that, likewise, wasn’t properly inspected. That fish was sent to retailers in California.

Officials said there were no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from eating the affected fish. They advised consumers to discard the fish or return it to the place of purchase.

Questions about Tuesday’s recall may be directed to Bradley Martin, general manager and vice president of the Richwell Group, at 626-964-8230.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, jhimler@tribweb.com or via Twitter @jhimler_news.