bloaters.bmpPorky Products Inc. of Carteret, New Jersey announced that it is recalling Salted Smoked Split Herring (bloaters) because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can produce a harmful toxin, which causes the rare but potentially life-threatening bacterial infection, botulism.

The uneviscerated fish product was imported from Canada and distributed to retail locations in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania from April 14-28, 2011. The product was shipped in 18 pound boxes bearing the lot number 27410.

Although no illnesses have been reported, the company is urging customers to refrain from eating the product, even if it does not look or smell spoiled, and return it to Porky Products for a full refund.

Consumers may contact the following Porky Products sales representatives between 9:00AM and 5:00PM Monday through Friday: Sal DiMauro 732-359-9226; Dominic Gold 732-359-9219; Miriam Lora 732-359-9151; or Ingrid Almanzar 732-359-9170.