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Contact:
Lynn Jebbia
207-288-2742
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Stonington, ME -- May 12, 2004 -- Stonington Sea Products of Stonington, ME is recalling a small, seventy pound batch of Cold Smoked Salmon, packaged in retail packages of 4 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz., and bulk in Sliced and Unsliced Sides with sell by dates of 5/8/2004, because it has 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.
Cold Smoked Salmon was distributed to three retail stores, one each in Maine, Massachusetts and New York. It was also distributed to three restaurants and via mail order to four customers. All customers have been notified and no illnesses have been reported to date.
The product is in plastic cryovac bags with the Stonington Sea Products label. This recall was a result of a sampling program carried out by the FDA on a recent inspection. Two batches of cold smoked salmon were tested. A sample from one batch tested positive for listeria and no listeria was found in a sample taken from the second batch. Stonington Sea Products performs regular testing for listeria and it has never been detected prior to this batch. The company has reviewed its plant procedures and increased its testing schedules to eliminate the reoccurrence of this problem.
Consumers who have purchased Cold Smoked Salmon with sell by date of 5/8/2004 are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-402-2729.
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