An urgent nationwide health alert has been issued after a major food supplier was forced to recall its smoked salmon products over fears of deadly bacterial contamination.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a Class I recall – the most serious type – for specific lots of smoked salmon produced by food giant JBS USA and sold under the brand name Wild Mountain Seafood.
What Products Are Affected?
The recall affects 4-ounce packages of Wild Mountain Seafood Smoked Nova Salmon and Wild Mountain Seafood Smoked Nova Salmon Trimmings. The products have a use-by date of October 22, 2024, and were distributed to retailers across the United States.
Consumers are urged to immediately check their refrigerators for the affected products, which can be identified by the following lot codes printed on the packaging:
- NOV4 366
- NOVT 366
The Danger of Listeria
The recall was initiated after routine testing revealed the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.
Listeriosis primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and individuals with weakened immune systems. For healthy individuals, symptoms may be mild, but for vulnerable groups, the infection can be devastating.
Symptoms to Watch For:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Stiffness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Pregnant women are particularly at risk as listeria can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in a newborn baby.
What Should You Do?
If you have purchased any of the recalled products, do not consume them. The FDA advises consumers to either throw the product away immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
JBS USA has notified its customers and is working to remove the affected lots from the marketplace. So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.
Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider immediately. The FDA also encourages consumers to report any adverse reactions to the MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.
