Salmon Recalled Over Listeria Contamination
Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. has recalled a batch of Wellsley Farms farm-raised Atlantic salmon due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The affected products were sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club. Health officials are urging consumers to dispose of the salmon or return it for a refund, as listeria can pose significant health risks.
The recalled 2-lb bags of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon are from lot number 3896 and have a UPC code of 888670025963. They were sold at BJ's Wholesale Club stores 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. The contamination was discovered after a random sample collected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*. Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. is investigating the source of the contamination and taking steps to prevent a recurrence. BJ's Wholesale Club is in the process of directly notifying members who may have purchased the affected salmon. *Listeria monocytogenes* can survive and grow even under refrigeration and freezing temperatures. Healthy individuals may experience short-term symptoms like high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, the infection can be particularly serious for pregnant women, people over 65, and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, a listeria infection can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection for the newborn. In older adults and immunocompromised individuals, the bacteria can spread beyond the intestines, causing a more severe, invasive illness with symptoms like headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the company will oversee the recall process to ensure the product is removed from the market. The company, in coordination with distributors and retailers, is responsible for retrieving the product and providing instructions to consumers for obtaining a refund or disposing of the salmon. The FDA may conduct effectiveness checks to verify that the recall has been properly communicated and acted upon.
