Soup recall: Check your kitchen for chowder products impacted by fears of potentially deadly botulinum toxin
Consumers are urged to check their kitchens and pantries after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a notice that warned about health risks associated with select chowder soups.
A recall has been issued for the select chowder soup products due to fears they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The bacterium can cause a potentially deadly form of food poisoning known as botulism. Here’s what you need to know about the recall.
What’s happened?
The FDA has posted a notice of a voluntary recall being conducted by the SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington. SeaBear initiated the recall after the company became concerned that select lots of two of its chowder soup products had the potential to harbor the Clostridium botulinum bacterium.
SeaBear initiated the voluntary recall after discovering that there was a pouch sealing issue on the product’s packaging caused by a mechanical issue with some of the company’s equipment.
The packaging seal could not be fully bonded, which means some of the chowder soup packages had the ability to leak.
Which products are affected?
According to SeaBear Company, there are two SeaBear Smokehouse chowder soup products included in this recall. Those products are:
Brand: SeaBear Smokehouse
- Product: SeaBear Salmon Chowder Net wt.12oz.
- UPC: 0 34507 07001 3
- Impacted lot codes: view list here
Brand: SeaBear Smokehouse
- Product: Alehouse Clam Chowder Net wt 12oz.
- UPC: 0 34507 07021 1
- Impacted lot codes: view list here
Images of the packaging of the recalled products can be found here.
Where were the recalled products sold?
SeaBear Company says the recalled products were distributed through physical retail stores in the following states:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Oregon
- Washington
The products were also sold nationwide at seabear.com.
SeaBear says the impacted products were sold between 10/1/2024 and 03/14/2025.
Thankfully, the company’s notice states that there have been no reports of illness due to the recalled products so far.
What is botulism?
Botulism is a type of potentially deadly form of food poisoning. It is caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says botulism is a rare but serious illness. There are five types of the disease—all of which are medical emergencies, according to the agency.
What are the symptoms of botulism?
There are five types of botulism, but the CDC says that all five types have some of the same symptoms, including:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle weakness
- Double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty moving the eyes
Foodborne botulism symptoms may also have the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
Botulism may occur in adults, children, and infants. In infants, symptoms of botulism may also include:
- Constipation
- Poor feeding
- Drooping eyelids
- Pupils that are slow to react to light
- Face showing less expression than usual
- Weak cry that sounds different than usual
What do I do if I have the recalled products?
SeaBear’s recall notice says that those who have the recalled chowder soup products in their possession should not consume them. Instead, owners of the products should contact SeaBear’s customer service team for a full refund.
SeaBear’s customer service contact phone number is 1-800-645-3474; the email is smokehouse@seabear.com.
Full details of the product recall can be found here.