A New York company is recalling an undisclosed amount of smoked salmon from retailers and restaurants because federal inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes at the company’s production facility. Mt. Kisco Smokehouse of Mt. Kisco, NY, recalled two lots of whole Atlantic smoked salmon and four lots of sliced Atlantic salmon Monday, according to a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration. The company distributed the implicated fish to retailers and restaurants in two states, New York and Connecticut, between Sept. 6 and 16. No illnesses had been reported in relation to the recalled fish as of Monday. “The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA inspection revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in floor drains and cracks in the floor,” according to the recall notice. “The production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.” Consumers who have purchased the recalled salmon are urged not to eat it and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 914-244-0702.

The recalled retail packages of the Mt. Kisco Smokehouse sliced smoked salmon weigh 8 ounces and are sold in clear plastic with labels on the back showing the following lot numbers and use-by dates:

• lot # 12125116 USE BY 09 28 16;
• lot # 12125216 USE BY 09 29 16;
• lot # 11325716 USE BY 10 03 16; and
• lot # 11325816 USE BY 10 05 16.

The recalled whole smoked salmon sent to restaurants is packed in unlabeled paper boxes. The recalled whole smoked salmon is from lot numbers 13723516 and 12125316, with use-by dates of Sept. 12 and 30 respectively. The recall notice did not state where restaurant operators can find the lot numbers or dates on the whole smoked salmon. Anyone who has eaten the recalled salmon and develops symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and inform their doctors about their possible exposure to Listeria monocytogenes. It can take up to 70 days for Listeria infection symptoms to become apparent. The infections can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the recall notice. 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. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)