FDA Issues Safety Alert on Smoked Salmon Due to Possible Health Risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a Safety Alert to consumers about the recall of smoked salmon packaged in various two-pound to four-pound. weight packages because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products are sold under the brand names: Imperial Salmon House, Superior brand Norwegian Cure and Golden Eagle Smoked Salmon.

Today's alert extends to packages produced on June 13, 2005 and have a shelf life of three to four months if maintained in an un-opened frozen state, four days if kept refrigerated. They are sold in individual packages labeled as: "Processed by Hickory House, Hialeah, FL 33016", "21555, Product of the USA", "keep frozen until ready to use." The product was sold in Florida, Georgia, New York and Virginia.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can be serious and sometimes cause fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals 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.

If you experience the symptoms listed above, you should contact your healthcare provider. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The contamination was noted after routine testing by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to destroy it. Questions may be directed to the recalling firm, Golden Eagle Smoked Foods, Inc., DBA Hickory House, at (305) 512-5900.

Source: FDA