Haring Catfish Recall: Gentian Violet Contamination Risk
Haring Catfish recalls catfish products due to possible adulteration with gentian (crystal) violet. Consumers are urged not to consume these items.
Stop using this now
possible adulteration with a residue of public health concern, specifically gentian (crystal) violet
What happened, in plain English
Haring Catfish, Inc. is recalling approximately 21,521 pounds of siluriformes fish products that may be contaminated with gentian (crystal) violet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall on July 14, 2016, after routine sampling revealed a violative level of the chemical residue. Consumers who purchased these items are urged not to eat them. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1275585-haring-catfish-recall-gentian-violet-contamination-risk.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1275585-haring-catfish-recall-gentian-violet-contamination-risk · Updated October 11, 2026 · Official notice: USDA FSIS #060-2016
Cite this page
“Haring Catfish Recall: Gentian Violet Contamination Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 11, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1275585-haring-catfish-recall-gentian-violet-contamination-risk. Based on USDA FSIS recall #060-2016 (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/haring-catfish-inc--recalls-siluriformes-fish-products-due-possible-adulteration).
Why it’s dangerous
The products may contain a residue of gentian (crystal) violet, which is considered a public health concern. While there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or illness, the presence of this chemical residue makes the product unsafe for consumption.
Who’s affected
Consumers and food service establishments (hotels, restaurants, institutions) in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas who purchased the affected catfish products between June 28 and July 14, 2016.
How to tell if you have this one
Look for cardboard boxes identified as HARING CATFISH with Lot Code 2140 printed on the label. Affected items include 11-lb., 15-lb., and 30-lb. boxes of ice-packed or IQF catfish tails, steaks, filets, strips, nuggets, and whole fish produced on June 28 and 29, 2016.
- Brand
Haring Catfish- Category
Meat & poultry
What to do — step by step
Stop consuming the product
Do not eat any catfish products from Haring Catfish with Lot Code 2140.
Discard or return items
Throw away the affected products or return them to the place of purchase.
What USDA FSIS says to do
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.
Where it went and when
Where it was distributed
Distributed in 6 states.
USDA FSIS distribution: “Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas”
States: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas.
Recall timeline
FSIS closed this recall in 2016.
- FSIS closed the recall
- USDA FSIS announced the recall
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Questions people ask
How can I identify the recalled items?
Check the label for the brand HARING CATFISH and Lot Code 2140. The products also bear establishment number EST. 51217 inside the USDA mark of inspection.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official USDA FSIS recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: USDA FSIS Recall #060-2016 (July 14, 2016)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3.6:35b-a3b on October 11, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the USDA FSIS notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official USDA FSIS recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.