Agency classClass IIOur severity:High FDA (Food)·F-3357-2017·Announced 2017-08-16

ISABEL Recalls Octopus Cans Containing Squid Due to Mislabeling

ISABEL North America is recalling 4-ounce cans of octopus in vegetable oil because the product actually contains squid. This mislabeling poses a risk to consumers with seafood allergies.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class II

Class II is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves allergen mislabeling (squid labeled as octopus), which fits the rubric criterion for 'Allergen mislabeling on common allergens' or 'risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.'

Plain-English summary

ISABEL North America, Inc. is recalling 5,037 cases of ISABEL Octopus in vegetable oil (Pulpo en aceite vegetal), 4 oz (115g) cans. The recall was initiated because the product label states the contents are octopus, but the actual content is squid. The affected lots are L15152, L15322, L15335, L16036, L16056, L-15-135, L-16-056, L-16-264, L-16-265, L-16-266, L-16-264, 16056A, L16266C, L16322A, L16322B, and L16264A. The product was distributed domestically only.

This recall is classified as FDA Class II. The mislabeling of squid as octopus is a significant hazard for consumers with specific seafood allergies, as they may inadvertently consume an allergen they are avoiding. While octopus and squid are both cephalopods, individuals with allergies to one may not be allergic to the other, or may have specific sensitivities to the species listed on the label.

Consumers who have purchased these specific lots should check their pantry for the affected cans. If found, they should stop consuming the product and contact ISABEL North America, Inc. for instructions on how to return the product or obtain a refund. The recall number is F-3357-2017.

The recalled product

Product: ISABEL, Octopus in vegetable oil, Pulpo en aceite vegetal, Net wt - Peso Neto 4 oz(115g)
Manufacturer: ISABEL NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Category: Food — Canned Seafood
Hazard: allergen-mislabeling

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (15)

Lot No. L15152
L15322
L15335
L16036
L16056
L-15-135
L-16-056
L-16-264
L-16-265
L-16-266
16056A
L16266C
L16322A
L16322B
L16264A

Distribution

Distribution scope not specified by the agency.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 3 recalled by ISABEL NORTH AMERICA, INC. under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 3 products in this recall →

Same manufacturer · ISABEL NORTH AMERICA, INC.

See all →

Moderate
ISABEL Octopus in Garlic Sauce Recalled for Mislabeling as Squid
FDA (Food) · 2017-08-16
Moderate
ISABEL Octopus in Marinera Sauce Recalled for Mislabeling as Squid
FDA (Food) · 2017-08-16

Same hazard · allergen mislabeling