Haifa Smoked Fish Recall Issued Due to Listeria Contamination

A recall has been issued for 22 lots of Haifa Smoked Fish brand products due to the possibility that they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which could lead to severe and potentially fatal illness.

The Haifa smoked fish recall was announced by the FDA on October 7 after sampling and analysis detected Listeria monocytogenes in fish products processed by D & M Smoked Fish in Jamaica, New York. Although there have been no illnesses or food poisoning reports connected to the Listeria contamination, the FDA executed a court order after the contamination was detected to stop the company from producing or distributing more of the products.

The fish recall affects 22 lots of 26 fish products sold under the Haifa Smoked Fish label. The recalled smoked fish was air-packed in bulk boxes and sold in vacuum-packed clear plastic in 4-ounce, 8-ounce, and 16-ounce sizes, and random weight sizes. The lot numbers for the recalled smoke fish are 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 241, 242, 243 and 244. The products affected by the recall include:

• Cold Smoked Salmon
• Cold Smoked Semga
• Hot Smoked Semga
• Cold Smoked Butterfish
• Cold Smoked Butterfish – Salmon
• Cold Smoked Sprats
• Cold Smoked Capelin
• Cold Smoked Sea Bass
• Cold Smoked Sea Bass & Salmon
• Hot Smoked Sea Bass
• Cold Smoked Whitefish
• Hot Smoked Whitefish
• Cold Smoked Mackerel
• Hot Smoked Mackerel Fillets
• Hot Smoked Mackerel
• Cold Smoked Turbot
• Cold Smoked Herring
• Shmaltz Herring
• Herring in oil – glass jars
• Hot Smoked Sable
• Cold Smoked Rainbow Trout
• Hot Smoked Gold Brook Trout
• Cold Smoked Gold Brook Trout
• Dry Capelin
• Hot Smoked Lake Trout
• Hot Smoked Paddle Fish

The recalled fish was sold between August 10 and September 3 to retailers and distributers in New York, New Jersey and Illinois and may have been purchased by consumers in retail food stores. 

Listeria infections, also known as listeriosis, pose a particular risk for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, illness from Listeria bacteria can cause miscarriages and still births. The fatality rate associated with listeriosis is about 25%.

Blood tests are usually required to diagnose Listeriosis, which can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of Listeriosis include muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, severe headaches and fever. If the bacteria spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and nervous system, it could cause meningitis and other complications.

The FDA recommends that any consumers who have purchased smoked fish affected by the recall return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can reach the company at (718)523-8899.