Woodsmoke Provisions LLC announced a voluntary recall last April 18 regarding its Atlantic Smoked Salmon product. The recall affects 160 packages of Atlantic Smoked Salmon because these may have potentially been contaminated by bacteria.
The fish product is said to be inhabited by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. This possible contamination was found after a routine test done by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services of Florida.
The affected product is sold under the label The Fresh Market Signature Collection and are packed in 4 ounce retailer packaging. The recalled smoked salmon has a lot code of 1459/2.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious harm to children and elderly people, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions. Symptoms of infection by this bacteria include high fever, stiffness, abdominal pain, severe headache, nausea and diarrhea. In pregnant women, Listeria infection can cause premature delivery or miscarriages.
Currently, no illnesses have been reported that are connected to the recalled smoked salmon. The affected product had been distributed in select The Fresh Market Inc. retail shops in the states of Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, Maryland and Ohio. The company emphasizes that only 160 packages of the specific product have been recalled.
People who have bought the recalled smoked salmon are urged to discard or return it to the store for a refund. They may also call 404-355=5125 from 9 AM to 5 PM, Eastern time, for their concerns. The company is available from Monday to Friday.
Dear Editors,
Not long ago I sent you a letter about control of Listeria monocytogenes with Listex. As a former listeriosos patient I know how terrible this disease can be, do you realize you suffer for years? Though I am happy I survived, I want to help avoid unnecessary suffering. Now I heard the USDA has okayed LISTEX as Processing Aid against Listeria. You can read about this in the news if you Google it, i.e. http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/news/2011/05….
The website of the company which produces Listex is http://www.micreosfoodsafety.com . Former ebifoodsafety.com
If possible I would like to know how food producers could be forced to ban Listeria. Please drop me a line on my e-mail g.van.der.feltz@ziggo.nl
Sincerely yours,
Gustaaf van der Feltz
To really get rid of Listeria monocytogenes the government should require foodproducers the use bacteriophages. There is a company called EBI Foodsafety who makes a specific phage which eats Listeria. (Only Listeria!). Perhaps there are also other companies making these specific phages, but I do not know these companies. EBI seems to have gotten GRAS of the USA FDA., so these phages may be used. They seem not to be very expensive, so costs could not be the question.