Possible Listeria Contamination Prompts Minced Crab Meat Recall

Rome Packing Co., Inc has issued a voluntary recall of Ocean’s Catch brand minced crab meat due to a possible Listeria contamination. The East Providence, RI-based company issued a news release on Wednesday stating that Listeria monocytogenes bacteria may be a contaminant in some of the finished food products. The products are packaged in round plastic tubs with snap-on lids. The products were sold at Shaws Supermarkets, Market Basket, Dave’s Market and other nationwide retail stores.

In young children, frail or elderly and those who are immunocompromised, Listeria monocytogenes contamination can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Healthy individuals may suffer high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea; in pregnant women, it can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.

The news release indicates that no illnesses have yet been reported. If consumers have purchased the recalled products, they are urged not to consume them and discard or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. The release, posted on the FDA’s website, provides the following list of recalled products:

6-ounce Ocean’s Catch Crab Meat:

• lot number 101366 with a sell by date before 5/14/14;
• lot number 101507 with a sell by date before 5/20/14;
• lot number 101540 with a sell by date before 5/21/14;
  8-ounce Ocean’s Catch All Natural Jonah Crab Combo Meat:

• lot number 101372 with a sell by date before 5/14/14;
• lot number 101432 with a sell by date before 5/19/14;
• lot number 101474 with a sell by date before 5/20/14;

16-ounce Ocean’s Catch All Natural Jonah Crab Combo Meat:

• lot number 101372 with a sell by date before 5/14/14;
• lot number 101391 with a sell by date before 5/16/14;
• lot number 101407 with a sell by date before 5/16/14;
• lot number 101432 with a sell by date before 5/19/14;
• lot number 101474 with a sell by date before 5/20/14;
• lot number 101539 with a sell by date before 5/21/14.