Chowder Recall Announced Due to Botulism Risk

SeaBear Company, a Washington-based seafood smokehouse, issued a chowder recall due to potential botulism risk.

This potentially fatal form of food poisoning thrives in the unique conditions of packaged soup.

Here’s what we know about the chowder recall so far.

Chowder Recall Details

The SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington issued a recall on March 15, 2025 for two variations of their seafood chowder. The chowder recall includes select lots of their Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum.

Do not consume recalled SeaBear Smoked Salmon Chowder or Alehouse Clam Chowder, even if product does not look or smell spoiled.

Consumers are urged to not consume recalled products. Even if they do not look or smell spoiled. Clostridium botulinum can go undetected for some time as the bacteria grows to infectious numbers.

Affected products are packaged in a shelf stable, dark blue, 12oz pouch. The lot numbers are located on the back of the pouch.

Affected lot numbers include:

SeaBear Salmon Chowder (12 oz), UPC 0 34507 07001 3

Impacted lot codes:

·        64242902 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 ·        64242912 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 ·        64242972 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 ·        64242982 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 ·        64243042 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 ·        64243052 SALCH – Enjoy by: 10/2028 ·        64243121 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 ·        64243131 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 ·        64243191 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 ·        64243201 SALCH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 ·        64243651 SALCH – Enjoy by: 12/2028 ·        64250031 SALCH – Enjoy by: 1/2029 ·        64250291 SALCH – Enjoy by: 1/2029 ·        64250301 SALCH – Enjoy by: 1/2029   SeaBear Alehouse Clam Chowder (12 oz), UPC 0 34507 07021 1 Impacted lot codes: ·        64241641 ALECH – Enjoy by: 6/2028 ·        64241643 ALECH – Enjoy by: 6/2028 ·        64241661 ALECH – Enjoy by: 6/2028 ·        64243251 ALECH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 ·        64243261 ALECH – Enjoy by: 11/2028 ·        64250222 ALECH – Enjoy by: 1/2029 ·        64250241 ALECH – Enjoy by: 1/2029

Affected products were distributed to physical retail stores in the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington in addition to direct home delivery via SeaBear’s website shipped between October 1, 2023 and March 14, 2025.

What Happened?

This chowder recall was initiated following a consumer complaint. After the complaint was made, SeaBear initiated an in-house investigation.

The company discovered a mechanical issue with their equipment. A problem that resulted in pouch seals not fully bonding, which led to some of the pouches leaking.

Why Would Pouches Leaking Prompt a Chowder Recall for Potential Clostridium botulinum Contamination?

While leaky pouches sound like a mess, there is more to the story.

Problems with sealed pouches could promote conditions favorable for botulinum toxin formation.

These conditions include:

• Low salt
• Low acid
• Low sugar
• A certain amount of water
• A certain temperature range
• Low-oxygen or no oxygen (anaerobic) environment

Improperly canned, preserved, or fermented foods promote these conditions that allow spores to grow and produce botulinum toxin – the toxin responsible for botulism.

What is Botulism?

Botulism is a rare but serious illness that is caused by a toxin. This toxin attacks the body’s nerves and is most known for its paralysis symptoms.

Botulism toxin is most associated with the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. However, Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii can also produce this toxin and the same symptoms.

These bacteria can be found in the environment. But fortunately, the bacteria itself rarely makes people sick. These bacteria make spores that act as protective coverings to help it survive under extreme conditions. Even these spores generally cause no illness. Even when consumed.

Botulinum toxin causes serious, life-threatening illness

However, under certain conditions, the spore can grow and produce a toxin. It is this toxin that causes the majority of reported illnesses.

Botulism Symptoms

While adults can fall ill with botulism, children are at higher risk.

If the infection is foodborne, symptoms usually begin around 18 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food.

Botulism symptoms in adults:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Paralysis

People experiencing botulism may not experience all of these symptoms at the same time.

Infants often produce different symptoms than adults.

Botulism symptoms in Infants:

• Constipation
• Poor feeding
• Drooping eyelids
• Difficulty breathing
• Pupils that are slow to react to light
• Face showing less expression than usual
• Weak cry that sounds different than usual

These symptoms all result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If left untreated, it can progress, and symptoms may worsen. Paralysis of the muscles used in breathing and in the arms and legs can cause serious complications.

Seek medical attention immediately if you are someone you know has symptoms of botulism. The condition can worsen rapidly and become life-threatening.

Diagnosing Botulism

Botulism requires specialized testing to ensure proper diagnosis. Symptoms overlap with other illnesses, such as Guillain-Barrè syndrome, meningitis, myasthenia gravis, stroke, and opioid overdose.

Tests used to diagnose someone with symptoms consistent with botulism include:

• Brain scan
• Spinal fluid examination
• Tensilon test for myasthenia gravis
• Nerve and muscle function tests (nerve conduction study and electromyography)

Doctors tend to start there. If these tests are not conclusive, the next step is to order laboratory tests that may identify the toxin or bacteria that causes botulism. Health care providers often start treatment before results are returned from the laboratory if the doctor has ruled out other illnesses and suspects a botulism diagnosis.

What is the Treatment if You Are Diagnosed with Botulism Illness?

Botulism is treated with a type of drug called an “antitoxin.” Unfortunately, this antitoxin does not heal the damage the toxin has already done to the body. It will, however, prevent the toxin from causing more damage. Most people will need to remain in the hospital for weeks or even months before they are well enough to return home.

While in the hospital, treatment is provided to help alleviate the symptoms until the body can return to function on its own.

In some cases, the toxin paralyzes the muscles involved in breathing. In these cases, the patient will be put on a ventilator (breathing machine), until they are able to breathe on their own again.

Paralysis usually improves slowly, so close observation is needed until the patient fully recovers.

At One Point, Botulism Was a Death Sentence, But We’ve Come a Long Way

While botulism is a very serious and life-threatening illness, it isn’t the death sentence it once was.

In the past, about half of those infected with botulism died. Today, fewer than 5 percent of people with botulism die from their illness.

Modern medical care and antitoxin therapy increases the survival rate.

But sadly, people do die from this illness. Even with intensive medical and nursing care, some people die from complications. Respiratory failure, infections due to long-term paralysis, and other issues may arise.

Even after recovery, long-term therapy may still be needed, and many survivors may experience fatigue and shortness of breath for years after their illness.

Have You Become Sick from Consuming SeaBear Chowder Recall Products?

If you have consumed SeaBear chowder recall products and have become sick, you may wish to make a legal claim. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!

Becoming sick due to manufacturer negligence can be costly and impact your life in many way. Lost wages, medical bills, and other burdens of foodborne illness can add up.

Call The Lange Law Firm, PLLC at (833) 330-3663 or click here to send an email for your free, no obligation consultation.

Don’t wait. Get the justice you deserve.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)