Listeria Recall In Virginia For Potentially Tainted Salmon: FDA

VIRGINIA — Smoked salmon packages distributed by a Florida company have been recalled in 11 states, including Virginia, because of potential contamination that could be deadly in some cases, the Food and Drug Administration said.

The FDA said St. James Smokehouse of Miami has recalled 93 cases of Scotch Reserve Scottish Smoked Salmon in the 4-ounce packages. The manufacturer said the packages have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which is an organism that can cause severe and fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy people may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The salmon was distributed in stores between February and June and was distributed in stores in: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Washington State, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as Safeway Washington State stores.

The recalled product bears lot number 123172 and UPC code 060022710356. The recall is specifically this lot only and no other products, brands or lots are associated with this recall, officials said.

If consumers have products matching the above description and lot number in their possession, they should dispose of it immediately or return it to the store for a full refund.

As of Friday, no illnesses have been reported in relation to the possibly contaminated salmon, FDA officials said.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria.