Smoked salmon slices sold in 15 states have been recalled over concerns that the product may contain a dangerous bacteria.
A voluntary recall announcement shared to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website on Tuesday warns that a specific lot of Netherlands-based Foppen Seafood's "Smoked Norwegian Salmon Slices" sold in the U.S. could contain Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that sometimes causes fatal infections in the elderly, young children and those with compromised immune systems.
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The recalled items are "toast sized" salmon slices sold in 8.1-ounce packages with lot number "412" and UPC code "8 40137 10000 2." They were sold at Payless and Kroger supermarkets only in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.
Consumers who purchased the recalled salmon were "advised not to consume the product" and throw it away or return it for a refund. At the time of publication, it was unclear whether any illness associated with the salmon had been reported.
Newsweek reached out for comment to Foppen Seafood via email on Tuesday night.
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"At Foppen Seafood, we operate to the highest standards of health, safety and quality control," the company said in a statement. "We have taken immediate steps to address this isolated incident and we are collaborating closely with Kroger and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure a swift resolution."
Customers with concerns or questions can contact Foppen Seafood over the phone anytime at 844-646-0928 or via email at supportQ1087@foppenseafood.com.
Those experiencing gastrointestinal issues and other symptoms after consuming the salmon were urged to seek the help of a medical professional.
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Listeriosis, an infection of Listeria monocytogenes, may result in severe symptoms even in those who are otherwise healthy. About 260 of an estimated 1,600 annual cases are fatal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Many infections are limited to the digestive system, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting developing within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food. However, a more invasive form of the illness develops in some within two weeks.
Symptoms of invasive illness include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. About one in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die of the illness.
For those who are pregnant, symptoms are generally mild or nonexistent, but invasive illness "usually leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn," according to the CDC.
While concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination is a relatively common reason to initiate a food recall, other potentially dangerous pathogens like salmonella and norovirus also spark recalls somewhat frequently.
Earlier this month, restaurants and food retailers in Hawaii and California were warned to throw away quick-frozen oysters from South Korea-based Central Fisheries Co. LTD because they "may be contaminated with norovirus." An outbreak of norovirus illnesses in Hawaii is believed to be linked to consumption of the oysters.
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Aila Slisco is a Newsweek night reporter based in New York. Her focus is on reporting national politics, where she ... Read more
