The Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon sold exclusively at BJ's Wholesale Club stores due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and death.
Slade Gorton & Co., Inc., based in Waltham, Massachusetts, initiated the recall for lot 3896 of the salmon product, which was sold in 2-pound bags at BJ's Wholesale Club locations nationwide. The company took the precautionary action after discovering the potential for Listeria contamination in the specific lot.
Listeria monocytogenes poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations. While healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, the infection can be far more serious for certain groups.
Pregnant women face especially grave risks from Listeria infection, as the bacteria can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. The elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk for severe complications, including death.
The recalled product was distributed exclusively through BJ's Wholesale Club stores, a membership-only warehouse chain with locations across the Eastern United States. Consumers who purchased lot 3896 of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon in 2-pound packages should immediately check their freezers and refrigerators for the affected product.
Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. has been a seafood supplier for decades, providing various fish products to retail chains and food service establishments. The company's decision to voluntarily recall the product demonstrates adherence to food safety protocols designed to protect public health.
The FDA's recall announcement serves as part of the agency's ongoing food safety surveillance program, which monitors potential contamination issues across the food supply chain. Federal regulators work closely with food manufacturers and retailers to identify potential hazards and remove unsafe products from store shelves.
Consumers who have purchased the affected salmon should not consume the product and should dispose of it immediately or return it to their local BJ's Wholesale Club store for a full refund. The retailer is cooperating fully with the recall effort and has removed all remaining inventory of the affected lot from its stores.
Listeria contamination in seafood products, while relatively uncommon, can occur at various points in the supply chain, from processing facilities to retail storage. The bacteria can survive and multiply at refrigeration temperatures, making proper handling and quick identification of contaminated products crucial for preventing widespread illness.
Food safety experts recommend that consumers always follow proper food handling procedures, including cooking seafood to appropriate internal temperatures and maintaining proper refrigeration. However, in cases of confirmed or suspected Listeria contamination, disposal of the product is the only safe option.
The recall affects only the specific lot 3896 of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon sold in 2-pound packages at BJ's Wholesale Club stores. Other Wellsley Farms seafood products and different lot numbers of the same salmon product are not included in this recall action.
BJ's Wholesale Club has posted notices in its stores and on its website alerting customers to the recall. The company is working with Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. and federal regulators to ensure complete removal of the affected product and to prevent any additional distribution.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. directly or reach out to BJ's Wholesale Club customer service. Anyone who has consumed the recalled product and experiences symptoms consistent with Listeria infection should seek immediate medical attention.
The FDA continues to investigate the source of the potential contamination and will provide updates as additional information becomes available. Food safety officials emphasize the importance of voluntary recalls in maintaining the integrity of the nation's food supply and protecting public health.
This recall serves as a reminder of the ongoing vigilance required to ensure food safety in an complex supply chain that moves millions of pounds of seafood products from processing facilities to consumer tables across the United States.