Salmon Recalled Over Listeria Concerns
A recall has been issued for Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall has prompted a renewed focus on supply chain safety and consumer protection within the food retail industry.
The recalled salmon was farmed in Norway and processed in a facility in Poland before being distributed by the Massachusetts-based Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. The potential contamination was discovered not by illness reports, but through a random sample collected and tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This recall affects 2-pound bags of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon with lot number 3896 and a UPC code of 888670025963. The products were sold between January 31 and February 7, 2026, at BJ's Wholesale Club stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. *Listeria monocytogenes* can be a persistent issue in seafood processing environments. Contamination often occurs post-harvest, with areas for brining, slicing, and packaging being identified as potential hotspots where the bacteria can establish itself and spread. The bacteria can survive and even grow in refrigerated temperatures, making it a challenge for ready-to-eat products. This is not the first time the importer, Slade Gorton & Co., Inc., has dealt with this specific pathogen. The company previously recalled a different seafood product, frozen langostinos, due to potential contamination with *Listeria monocytogenes*. As with the current salmon recall, that earlier event was also initiated as a precautionary measure with no reported illnesses. Following the positive test, the FDA's role shifts to a broader investigation to pinpoint the source of contamination and ensure it has been contained. This involves working with the company to trace the product's distribution, inspecting the processing facility, and analyzing sanitation protocols to prevent future occurrences. For consumers, listeriosis symptoms can appear from a few days to several weeks after eating contaminated food and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. The infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems, as it can lead to more severe complications. BJ's Wholesale Club is directly notifying members who may have purchased the affected salmon lot. The company and the FDA have instructed consumers not to eat the product and have provided a contact number (1-888-628-0730) for a full refund and disposal instructions.
