Lids lead to recall of Key West-based smoked fish dip over possible egg allergen

Key West Smoked Fish Co. is recalling a supply of its Smilin’ Bob’s Original Smoked Fish Dip after the South Florida island chain company learned that some Smilin’ Bob’s Natural Smoked Fish Dip cups were mistakenly packed with lids from the Original Smoked Fish Dip lid.

The names are close. But the ingredients differ.

Why the recall?

“We discovered the issue when one of our retail customers brought to our attention that cups had a UPC code that did not match that for the ‘original’ fish dip. As a result, the packaging does not list the presence of a possible egg allergen,” Smilin’ Bob’s posted on its website and on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration alert issued Thursday.

“Some people who have an extreme allergy or severe sensitivity to egg could run the risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product,” the company said in its recall alert.

No illnesses have been reported so far.

What you should do

Some Smilin’ Bob’s Natural Smoked Fish Dip cups were mistakenly packed with lids from the Original Smoked Fish Dip. The Key West-based company issued a recall on Oct. 22, 2021. This is an example of where you’ll find the Best-If-Use-By date on the recalled products.
Some Smilin’ Bob’s Natural Smoked Fish Dip cups were mistakenly packed with lids from the Original Smoked Fish Dip. The Key West-based company issued a recall on Oct. 22, 2021. This is an example of where you’ll find the Best-If-Use-By date on the recalled products.

Look at the Smilin’ Bobs packages. The recalled 8-ounce round plastic containers have the “Best If Use By” dates printed on the side of each container.

This recall applies only to the products with the “Best If Use By” dates of Dec. 19, 2021.

Smilin’ Bob’s said it is working with distributors and retailers to quarantine and recover any mislabeled product that might still be on store shelves. A total of 461 cases were distributed to retailers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia.

If you bought the recalled fish dip, return it to the place of purchase. Still have questions? Call 305-395-8382 during normal business hours.

Egg allergies and flu shots

Unrelated to the fish dip recall — but perhaps of interest to those with egg allergies — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has looked into egg allergies and flu shots. Most flu shots and the nasal spray flu vaccine are manufactured using egg-based technology, the CDC notes.

“But studies that have examined the use of both the nasal spray vaccine and flu shots in egg-allergic and non-egg-allergic patients indicate that severe allergic reactions in people with egg allergies are unlikely,” the CDC posted on its website.

A recent CDC study found the rate of anaphylaxis after all vaccines is 1.31 per one million vaccine doses given.