Salmon Recalled at BJ's Over Listeria Fears
A lot of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon has been recalled from BJ’s Wholesale Club. The recall was initiated due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall specifically affects lot number 3896 of the Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon, which is sold in 2-pound bags. The product, distributed by Slade Gorton & Co., Inc., can be identified by the UPC code 888670025963 on the back of the package. The potentially contaminated salmon was sold at BJ's Wholesale Club stores in seven states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The affected lot was available for purchase between January 31 and February 7. The contamination was discovered after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected a random sample of the product for testing. As of the recall announcement, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the salmon. *Listeria monocytogenes* is a resilient bacterium that can survive and multiply even at refrigerator temperatures. Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, it can also tolerate salty environments, making it a concern for products like smoked fish. While healthy individuals may experience short-term symptoms like fever, nausea, and diarrhea, the infection can be severe for at-risk populations. For pregnant women, it can lead to miscarriages or stillbirths, and for the elderly or immunocompromised, it can cause more serious infections. The distributor is investigating the source of the contamination and taking steps to prevent future occurrences. BJ's is actively contacting members who may have purchased the recalled salmon. Consumers who have the recalled salmon should not eat it. They can call 1-888-628-0730 for instructions on how to obtain a full refund and properly dispose of the product.
