The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recalls of two food items due to possible contamination with <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/listeria">Listeria monocytogenes.
According to the FDA, Trans-Ocean Products Inc. of Bellingham, Washington, has recalled its four-oz. Cracked Pepper Style Smoked Salmon.  The smoked salmon was sold in three supermarket chains in seven states: Brookshire Brothers in Texas and Louisiana; Price Choppers in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont; and Giant Eagle in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Trans-Ocean Cracked Pepper Style Smoked Salmon is sliced cold-smoked salmon with black pepper. The salmon is vacuum packaged and is sold in a resealable purple plastic pouch that bears the brand name Trans Ocean Products, with the lot number 54933-2. The lot number is printed in ink jet on the back panel of the package, to the right of the center of the packaging. Consumers who have purchased the salmon are being advised to return the recalled salmon to the place of purchase for a full refund. Trans-Ocean Products can be reached toll-free at 800-290-2722.
Also, Landshire Inc. is recalling its American Sub sandwich. The sandwich was sold at Circle K Convenience Stores in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The sub sandwich bears the label ”Fresh from the Deli American Sub,” and is delivered pre-packaged and individually wrapped in clear plastic with a black tray inside of package. The sandwich weighs 9.75 ounces, with lot number of 21882 and UPC code 9748800540; the lot number is printed in black ink on the side of the package. Consumers who purchased the recalled ”Fresh from the Deli American Sub†are urged to return the sandwich to the place of purchase for a full refund. Landshire can be reached toll-free at 800-468-3354.
Listeriosis is a type of food poisoning generated by Listeria monocytogenes and is particularly dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, those with chronic medical conditions, people with HIV, or those undergoing chemotherapy. Most 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 beef products. Because Listeria thrives in the cold, refrigerated food products provide an ideal environment for the germ.
We have long been reporting on the rash of food borne contaminations from Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Salmonella, and Botulism, to name a few. Part of the reason such illnesses are on the rise, is this country’s outdated and under-funded food-surveillance system that has become overwhelmed by the emergence of mega-farms, -distribution centers, and -transporters.
This year alone, Listeria has been the focus of numerous outbreaks in the United States, including products from DBC, Inc., Vita Nova Salmon, Salmolux, 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.
