FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Santa Fe Springs, CA -- May 23, 2007 -- Hong Chang
Corporation, Santa Fe Springs, CA is recalling product labeled as monkfish
because it may contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin. Although the product was
identified as monkfish, we are concerned the product may be pufferfish
because this toxin is usually associated with certain types of pufferfish.
Consumption of foods containing tetrodotoxin can result in life-threatening
illness or death. This toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.

Initial symptoms occur within 30 minutes to several hours after consuming
food containing the toxin and are characterized by lip and tongue tingling
and then followed by facial and extremity tingling and numbness. Subsequent
symptoms may include headache, balance problems, excessive salivation,
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with abdominal pain which can be severe. In
severe cases, muscles can become paralyzed and death may follow resulting
from respiratory muscle paralysis. Consumers experiencing these symptoms
should seek immediate medical care.

A total of 282, 22-lb. boxes of monkfish were distributed to wholesalers in
Illinois, California and Hawaii beginning in September 2006. This product was
sold in retail stores, restaurants, and cash and carry stores in these
regions.

The monkfish are individually packaged in clear plastic sleeves and placed in
a plastic liner which is inside a cardboard box. There are no lot numbers on
the box. The boxes are packed by total weight, 22 pounds, with labeling on
one panel that reads "MONK FISH GUTTED AND HEAD-OFF PRODUCT OF CHINA". A
second box panel bears nutritional facts and the following, "Ingredients:
Monk fish; Imported by: Hong Chang Corp, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670; Product
of China (P.R.C.)."

The problem was discovered after two people in the Chicago, IL area fell ill
after consuming soup made with the "monkfish". The Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) analysis of the fish confirmed the presence of
life-threatening levels of tetrodotoxin.

At this time, Hong Chang Corp. and FDA are investigating how the problem
occurred.

--
Joey DoWop Dee
Not laughing at the moment.