GoldCoast Salads, a Naples Florida firm, is voluntarily recalling Blue Crab Spread, Maine Lobster Spread, Lobster and Shrimp Spread, and Smoked Salmon Spread that may be contaminated with the Listeria pathogen. GoldCoast announced the recall in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following products are being recalled:
- Blue Crab Spread: 8-ounce and 1-pound containers, coded EXP 2/14/13 B
- Maine Lobster Spread: 8-ounce and 1-pound containers, coded EXP 2/16/13 LA
- Lobster and Shrimp Spread: 8-ounce and 1-pound containers, coded EXP 2/23/13 L&S1 and EXP 3/30/13 L&S1
- Smoked Salmon Spread: 8-ounce and 1-pound containers, 3/10/13 S2.
The recalled products were produced on December 17, 19, and 26, 2012 and January 25 and 31, 2013, and were distributed in states in the northeast and southeast United States. Because of the potential for food borne illness, GoldCoast and the FDA urge consumers not to eat the suspect products, but to return them to the point of purchase. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact GoldCoast Salads at 239.513.0430.
Earlier in the month, GoldCoast recalled Blue Crab Spread, also because of possible Listeria contamination.
As we’ve explained, the Listeria pathogen is unique because it thrives in colder temperatures, such as those found in refrigerated environments. Listeria also has an unusually long incubation period—up to 70 days—according to experts. The pathogen also tolerates heat and dry temperatures well, adding further challenges to the pathogen’s eradication and length to expected reporting time frames.
Listeriosis, the food borne disease caused by the Listeria pathogen, is dangerous and can be deadly, causing serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
In pregnant women, Listeriosis can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth of a baby suffering from the infection. Pregnant women are about 20 times likelier than others to be infected, with about one-third of all Listeriosis cases occurring during pregnancy. Listeriosis can also kill fetuses, prompt premature births, and can lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns and neurological effects and cardio-respiratory failure in adults.
