CDPH Warns of Domoic Acid Toxicity From Frozen Anchovies​ ​

May 7, 2025  

SN25-008​

What You Need to Know: CDPH is warning distributors and retailers not to sell specific lot numbers of Sea Wave brand frozen anchovies distributed by Cal Marine Fish Company because they contain dangerous levels of domoic acid. People who consume products with high levels of domoic acid are at risk of symptoms that can range from mild to severe.  ​

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health is warning distributors and retailers to not sell specific lot numbers of frozen Sea Wave brand anchovies that have been found to contain elevated levels of domoic acid. The anchovies were processed, packaged, and distributed by Cal Marine Fish Company, LLC of Salinas, CA and sold to wholesalers for human consumption, pet food and bait. The following lots contain anchovies with elevated levels of domoic acid and should not be sold: 

• Lot # N10043: 10 KG Block Anchovies, IQF were imported by Pendarves LTD to New Zealand under the brand name Sea Wave.  
• Lot # N10045: 10 KG Block Anchovies, IQF were distributed to multiple California wholesalers under the brand name Sea Wave. 

Domoic Acid Linked to Anchovies from California  ​ 

On April 25, 2025, CDPH was notified of a recall in New Zealand associated with elevated levels of domoic acid linked to anchovies that were distributed by Cal Marine Fish Company, LLC. CDPH laboratory analysis of the anchovies from the affected lots confirmed the presence of dangerous levels of domoic acid.  

Domoic acid is a naturally occurring biotoxin. Anchovies are of particular concern because the toxin resides in their digestive tracks and anchovies are often consumed whole. 

Anchovies packaged as Lot # N10043 were imported by Pendarves LTD to New Zealand for human consumption and pet food purposes. Anchovies packaged as Lot # N10045 did not identify the product for bait use and were distributed to wholesalers in California. If product labels do not specify that the anchovies are for bait use only, it is assumed that the product can be used for human consumption or pet food.  

Wholesalers of the contaminated anchovies can protect their customers by checking their inventory and product labels to ensure that potentially contaminated anchovies are not available for purchase for human consumption or pet food.  

CDPH continues to coordinate its efforts with Cal Marine Fish Company, LLC to remove all affected lots of frozen anchovies from the marketplace. There have not been any reported illnesses of domoic acid poisoning associated with these anchovies in the United States or California. 

How to Protect Yourself from Domoic Acid ​  

Due to the risk of domoic acid poisoning, CDPH is warning people not to consume these lots of frozen anchovies. CDPH also discourages using anchovies from these lots for bait. Anchovies with elevated domoic acid levels can contaminate sea waters and fish and shellfish that may be consumed by mammals or birds that are vulnerable to domoic acid toxicity.  

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning, also referred to as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning, can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the consumer may experience trouble breathing, confusion, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma, or death. 

Anyone who becomes ill after eating anchovies contaminated with domoic acid should contact their health care provider and report their illness to their local health department. 

Please visit the CDPH Domoic Acid webpage and CDPH’s Domoic Acid FAQ for more information. To receive updated information please, call CDPH's toll-free “Shellfish Information Line” at (800) 553-4133. ​​​​