The US Food and Drug Administration has just announced that Interior Alaska Fish Processors, Inc. of Fairbanks, Alaska is recalling some of its Santa’s Smokehouse brand smoked keta salmon because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was sold in random weight portions and packaged in clear plastic vacuum-sealed bags with a label stating: Santa’s Smokehouse “teriyaki style smoked keta salmon.” Batch number “637” is subject to the recall; the batch number is found on the Santa’s Smokehouse label.
Approximately 150 pounds of Santa’s Smokehouse brand smoked keta salmon was distributed through the company’s retail store in Fairbanks, Alaska and through gift packs sold on the Internet between mid December 2007 and July, 2008. The recall is the result of survey sampling by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, which revealed that the sampled product in question contained the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.
Consumers are being asked to return any Santa’s Smokehouse smoked keta salmon with the batch number “637” to Interior Alaska Fish Processors, Inc., with the label, for a full refund. Also, consumers with questions may contact the company at 907-456-3885, order@santassmokehouse.com, or at 2400 Davis Road, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Listeriosis is a type of food poisoning generated by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria and is dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, those with chronic medical conditions, people with HIV, or those who are undergoing chemotherapy. Most people experience mild flu-like symptoms—fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. In serious cases, the disease spreads to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, and convulsions. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. Listeria lives in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and food and can easily contaminate dairy and meat products; Listeria thrives in cold environments.
Listeria can cause death and appears to be responsible for 12 such deaths in Canada, which have been linked to some Maple Leaf Food meat products. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) announced that individually packaged ready-to-eat chicken and turkey sandwiches, manufactured by DBC, Inc.—which also does business as World Class Canapés—were recalled over concerns of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Late last month Vita Nova Salmon was recalled over concerns about Listeria contamination. Earlier in July, wild Alaskan smoked salmon nova lox distributed in a wide variety of states by Salmolux Inc. of Federal Way, Washington, was recalled, also over concerns of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. And, this year alone, Listeria has been the focus of numerous outbreaks, including products from Fresca Italia, Whittier Farms, Sea Tac, J&B Meats, Meijer Inc., Chang Farms, Gourmet Boutique, Bright Waters, R&R Alsatian Sausage and Products; Amish Macaroni Salad; Supreme Cuts, Stop and Shop, Piney Ridge Dairy, and Clark and Elaine Duncan’s Farm, to name some. Also, Hope Food Supply Inc. was ordered to shut down and immediately recall all products manufactured from its Texas facility since 2007 due to possible food contaminant risks following its failure to follow a previous consent decree.
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