Seafood Mix Recalled in Six States Due to Listeria Contamination Fears
Krasnyi Oktyabr Inc. is voluntarily recalling its Starfish Seafood Trio after potential contamination with deadly bacteria was identified.
An urgent recall has been issued for a packaged seafood mix sold in six states due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes listeriosis. The affected product is Krasnyi Oktyabr Inc.'s Starfish Seafood Trio – Cold Smoked Salmon, Halibut, and Trout, sold in 8-ounce vacuum-sealed plastic packages under the brand name Starfish.
The recalled fish was distributed in New York, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It can be identified by lot number D139149161-153 and has an expiration date of December 1, 2027.
Krasnyi Oktyabr Inc., a wholesale distributor whose country of origin for the product is listed as Latvia, initiated the recall after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets identified the potential contamination. The company is cooperating with the state department, has notified affected customers, and requested they discontinue use and distribution of the recalled product.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging customers who have purchased the recalled product not to consume it and to return it to the place of purchase.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall. It is currently unknown how the seafood mix may have become contaminated.
Listeria bacteria can be found in moist environments, soil, water, and decaying vegetation, and can survive refrigeration. Foods commonly associated with listeria include unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, ready-to-eat foods like pre-packed sandwiches, cooked shellfish, cured meats and fish, sushi, and pre-cut fruit.
While most people infected with listeria recover, the infection can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. In pregnant women, listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. The infection can be fatal, leading to an estimated 250 deaths annually in the United States if the infection spreads to the central nervous system.