Salmon sold at BJ's recalled for Listeria risk
A recall has been announced for Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club. The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Consumers are being urged to check affected products and follow FDA guidance to mitigate health risks.
The recall of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon was initiated by the distributor, Slade Gorton & Co., after a random sample collected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*. The specific product is Lot #3896 of the 2-lb bags, which were sold at BJ's Wholesale Club locations in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia between January 31 and February 7, 2026. As of the recall announcement, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the salmon. Slade Gorton & Co. has stated it is investigating the source of the contamination and implementing preventive measures. BJ's is in the process of directly notifying members who may have purchased the affected product. *Listeria monocytogenes* is a hardy bacterium that can survive and multiply in refrigerated temperatures, making it a persistent challenge in ready-to-eat food processing environments. Contamination in seafood can occur at various stages, from the initial harvest to processing equipment and handling within the plant. This is not the first recall for the Boston-based Slade Gorton & Co. In June 2017, the company recalled several tilapia products due to undeclared milk allergens. Years prior, it also issued a voluntary recall for its Icybay brand of frozen langostinos due to potential *Listeria* contamination discovered by Canadian food inspectors. Following a positive *Listeria* test from an environmental sample, the FDA expects companies to launch a comprehensive investigation to find the root cause. Corrective actions typically involve intensified cleaning and sanitation of the facility, including equipment disassembly, followed by more rigorous environmental sampling and testing to ensure the contamination has been eliminated. While healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms like fever, headache, and nausea, listeriosis can be severe for vulnerable populations. It poses a significant risk to pregnant women, potentially causing miscarriages and stillbirths, and can lead to life-threatening infections in newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
