THE FDA has issued an urgent nationwide recall after two smoked fish products have been contaminated by deadly bacteria.
The recall impacts smoked fish products from Haifa as officials urge shoppers and distributors to check their products.
The FDA has issued a warning about two Haifa fish products that may contain a deadly bacteria (stock)[/caption]
An alert was released by the FDA on Wednesday warning consumers not to eat any items that fall under the recall.
It impacts batches of the Haifa ‘Cold Smoked Salmon’ and the ‘Cold Smoked Seabass’.
During routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors, traces of Listeria Monocytogenes were found.
This was at the Haifa Smoked Fish Of Jamaica, wholesalers in New York.
Listeria is a type of bacteria that causes infections that can be deadly among certain groups.
It “can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the FDA warned.
In addition to this, when pregnant women come into contact with the bacteria, it can cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Symptoms of an infection caused by Listeria include high fever, stiffness, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.
The FDA said that so far no illnesses connected to the recalled fish have been reported.
Shoppers must check the packaging of their Haifa fish products for certain information to identify if it is part of the recall.
If so, they must not eat it and the product can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
First, the Cold Smoked Salmon that is sold as an 8oz. pack and has the LOT number 219.
The Cold Smoked Seabass that is part of the recall is also sold as an 8oz. pack.
The affected LOT number is 212.
These numbers can be found on the bottom of the packaging on a small rectangular label in blue writing.
The FDA has urged shoppers not to eat the affected products and to return them for a full refund (stock)[/caption]
Both the salmon and seabass are vacuum packed with the fillets lying on a paper board and wrapped in plastic.
They “were distributed nationwide through direct delivery to retail stores and distributors,” the FDA warned.
Consumers who have questions about the recall can call Haifa at 718-523-8899.
Meanwhile, another FDA warning has urged shoppers to check their kitchen cupboards.
It comes as a growing list of cookware items have been found to leach toxic metals into food.
Baby food pouches have also been found to contain lead.
How to handle product recall
FOOD Safety experts insist that shoppers shouldn’t panic if they’re affected by a recall, as many are harmless.
However, consumers should take each warning seriously and follow the necessary steps to protect themselves.
Oftentimes, food manufacturers issue recalls as a precautionary measure, so there likely isn’t a foodborne illness hiding in your pantry.
However, even if the recall is merely a precaution, shoppers should always stay safe and not consume the affected items.
Experts advise people to keep a product closed if it hasn’t been opened, and never feed it to a pet or donate it to food banks.
Anyone who has handled or opened an affected item should wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for 20 seconds.
Read the recall closely for specific instructions on how to get rid of the food item.
Typically, the brand will ask consumers to return the recalled product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund.
Sometimes shoppers will also be asked to throw it away so that no one else can eat it.
Source: FoodSafety.gov
