Gorton’s Recalls Frozen Fish After PA Woman Reports Finding Pills

By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press Writer

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) – Gorton’s Inc. recalled about 1,000 cases of frozen fish in 10 states on Friday after confirming that a Pennsylvania customer found pills in the food.

Gorton’s said it ordered the recall as a precaution while a laboratory works to determine the nature of the pills. Those tests should be complete early next week.

“Obviously product alteration is a very serious matter,” said Jud Reis, vice president of marketing for the company, based in Gloucester, Mass.

“We are conducting a full investigation into the source of the problem.” Tracy Rowan of New Freedom called police after she bit into one of the pills Sunday and found another on her daughter’s plate.

On Friday, Reis said the material was some sort of pill, not compressed batter or bread crumbs. The recall is for Gorton’s 6 Crispy Battered Fish Fillets, 11.4 ounces.

The UPC Code is No. 44400157770, with a date code of 7289G1 and a best-if-used-by date of April 2009.

The fish was sent to nine other states: Alabama, Delaware, California, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)