FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — November 19, 2009 – Service Smoked Fish Corp. of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling specific “Use-By” dates and lot codes of Brooklyn’s BEST brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON 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 possibly 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.
Smoked Nova Salmon was distributed in the greater New York area, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the areas of Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, and Portland, Oregon. Consumers may have purchased the product from retail food stores.
The Smoked Nova Salmon was vacuum-packed in clear, plastic bags of various size packages including 3 oz., 4 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz. and random weight sides with the brand name “Brooklyn’s BEST” appearing on a circular label inside the vacuum bag. A “Use-By” date appears on the bottom of the gold board. Units with “Use-By” dates of 12/03/09 through 12/19/09 are being recalled. The product was also air-packed in bulk boxes. Air-packed units with lot numbers 060 through 043 are being recalled. No other use-by dates or lots numbers are involved in this recall.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall is the result of samplings by the Food and Drug Administration which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product. The FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers who have purchased the above “Use-By” dates or lot codes of “Brooklyn’s BEST” brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-388-4067, Monday – Friday, 7 am – 3 pm.
Source: Service Smoked Fish Corp.
