More than 111 cases of smoked salmon have been recalled at Costco over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria.
The FDA revealed the recall and said it was its highest risk level, or a class I, meaning there is a ‘reasonable probability’ of death or serious adverse health effects for anyone who eats the salmon.
It was sold in twin 12oz packs at Costo locations based in Southeast Florida, and marked ‘Kirkland Signature’.
The salmon had a sell-by date of Nov. 13, meaning it’s unlikely to still be in a refrigerator, but officials fear it could be in consumer freezers.
People who have the product at home have been urged to throw it away or return it to stores for a full refund.
No illnesses or deaths have been linked to the recall, but officials urge anyone who believes the salmon became ill to report their illnesses.
Listeria can cause a serious bacterial infection, which can lead to someone suffering from sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
The bacteria is particularly dangerous for newborns, older adults and pregnant women, who have weaker immune systems.
The above shows the front of the twin bags of Kirkland Signature Salmon that were recalled
And this shows the back. Salmon was sold at Costco as a twin product
The FDA first announced the recall in late October, but this week the agency updated its risk level classification to a class I.
It is unclear how the contamination was detected, but this was likely through routine testing of the product.
The recalled salmon has the lot number 8512801270, and the UPC number, which can be found below the barcode, of 0 96619 25697 6.
It was manufactured by Acme Smoked Fish Corporation, based in Brooklyn, New York.
The company also faced a recall in 2021, after officials discovered that some of its salmon was contaminated with Salmonella.
It is also unclear how the salmon became contaminated with Listeria, but this may have been through contaminated machinery.
Salmon can pick up Listeria while on farms, as the bacteria can live in water, which is then transferred to machinery during processing. The machinery then spreads the bacteria to other salmon.
Salmon is smoked cold, which does not kill Listeria, and is also refrigerated, which also does not eradicate the bacteria.
Listeria can contaminate everything from raw vegetables, unpasteurized dairy and deli meats, and is behind about 47 recalls each year.
It causes the disease listeriosis, and although healthy people may only have short-term illness, pregnant women, newborns, and older people are at risk of serious infections.
Symptoms that healthy people may experience include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
In more severe cases, it can cause confusion, loss of balance, and seizures if it spreads to the nervous system.
About 1,600 people are infected with Listeria each year.
Listeria contamination was behind several major recalls last year, including a recall of 10 million pounds of beef and poultry used in ready-to-eat meals.
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