Illinois-based Vita Food Products, Incorporated announced a recall for certain batches of its sliced smoked salmon product. The reason for recalling the product is the possibility that the batch was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The number of individual packages recalled totals 8,088 retail packs. The recalled products were sold under the Vita Classic brand and have a product description of “Premium Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova Salmon.” The batch recalled has a sell-by date and code of “DEC 15 2011 01961B.” Those specified products that were purchased beginning July 25 and onward are also affected by the recall. The affected products are packed in black packaging that has the Vita logo printed at the center bottom. Every pack contains 4 to 5 slices, or about 4 ounces of smoked salmon. The company emphasizes that only the specified products are affected by the recall.

Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful food contaminant bacterium that is the cause of a type of food poisoning called Listeriosis. Common symptoms of this food poisoning include high fever, stiffness, stomach pains, severe headaches, nausea and diarrhea. In the most serious cases, stillbirths or miscarriages can occur in pregnant women. Currently, there has been no report of food poisoning that is connected to the recalled product.

The recalled smoked salmon was sold at various Publix, Meijer, Safeway, Vons, Winn-Dixie and Edgewater Produce stores in the states of Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Alaska, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, District of Columbia, Georgia, Tennessee, California, Oregon, Idaho, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Consumers who have concerns about this recall may call Vita Foods at 1 800 989 8482 from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Customer service representatives are available to assist callers from Monday through Friday.