Brooklyn distributor recalls Starfish smoked salmon, halibut and trout over possible Listeria

A Brooklyn wholesale distributor is recalling a smoked fish sampler sold in New York and five other states because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Krasnyi Oktyabr Inc. is voluntarily recalling Starfish Seafood Trio, a vacuum-sealed package of cold-smoked salmon, halibut and trout. The possible contamination was identified by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the company is cooperating with the state agency and the FDA, the notice says. No illnesses have been reported.

How to check your package

• Product: Starfish Seafood Trio, Cold Smoked Salmon, Halibut, Trout
• Size: 8 oz (227 g), vacuum-sealed plastic package
• Lot number: D139149161-153
• Expiration date: 12/01/2027
• Country of origin: Latvia
• Where it was sold: New York, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina and South Carolina

What to do

Don't eat it. The FDA notice says consumers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions can call Krasnyi Oktyabr at (718) 858-6720, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.

Krasnyi Oktyabr did not make the fish. As a distributor, it has told the stores it supplies to stop selling the product, check their inventory and notify their own customers, according to the notice.

Why Listeria matters

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems, and infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, the FDA notice says. Healthy people may have only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Contaminated food may not look or smell spoiled, and symptoms can take up to 70 days to appear after exposure, Food Safety News reported. Anyone who ate the product and develops symptoms should see a doctor and mention the possible exposure.