HHS NEWS

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
P00-6                                                      Print Media: 202-205-4144
March 10, 2000                                             
                                                           Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA ISSUES NATIONWIDE HEALTH WARNING ABOUT
ROYAL BALTIC COLD-SMOKED FISH PRODUCTS

The Food and Drug Administration is issuing a nationwide warning to consumers against consuming Royal Baltic, LTD, cold-smoked fish products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

This warning covers any Royal Baltic cold-smoked fish product that may remain in consumers' homes or in the marketplace despite earlier recalls of certain Royal Baltic products in November and December 1999, and January 2000.

Royal Baltic produces a variety of smoked fish products at its Brooklyn, New York, plant that are distributed nationwide through retail stores. Products include, but are not limited to: Captain (sea bass), Smoked Captain, Variety Pack (salmon, trout, and captain), Salmon, Sea Bass, Turbot, Royal Trout, Lake Trout, Assorted Plate, Smoked Royal Trout, Smoked Turbot, Imperial European Style Smoked Salmon, Smoked Siomga, Assorted Pre-sliced Smoked Fish (siomga, captain, trout), Smoked Trout, and Smoked Lake Trout.

Since the cause of the Listeria contamination found in some lots of Royal Baltic's smoked fish has not been identified and corrected, FDA is issuing this warning as it continues to investigate this matter.

Consumers who have purchased any Royal Baltic cold-smoked fish products should not eat them, but instead return them to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-385- 8300.

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