Fish Recall Sparks Warning to Customers

Costco customers have been warned that smoked salmon sold at some warehouses in the southeastern U.S. were recalled over possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

A recall notice shared to Costco's website on Tuesday cautioned customers who purchased packages of "Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon" that the fish may contain the potentially deadly bacteria.

The affected products, sold in twin packs that each contain 12 ounces of smoked salmon, all have a lot number of 8512801270 and were available at some members-only Costco warehouses this month.

The CEO of Acme Smoked Fish Corporation, which produces the smoked salmon for Costco, sent a letter to Costco members who had purchased the recalled items to warn them against eating the fish.

A plate of smoked salmon with fresh dill is pictured in this undated file photo. Costco announced this week that some packages of its "Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon" had been recalled over concerns of potential... Mariha-kitchen/Getty Images

"Our records indicate that you, or one of your add-on members, have purchased item #1267000 Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon between October 9, 2024 and October 13, 2024," wrote Acme CEO Eduardo Carbajosa.

"With an abundance of caution, Acme Smoked Fish Corp. has initiated a voluntary recall on certain packages of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes," he added.

Carbajosa went on say that consumers should "not consume the product" and instead return it to a Costco for a full refund, adding that his company had taken "immediate corrective steps to ensure that this issue never happens again."

Those with additional "issues or concerns" about the recall were asked to contact the company via phone at 718-383-8585 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

The recall applies to salmon sold at "select" stores in the southeastern U.S., although no further information was provided on the specific stores. Costco has locations in 47 states, including all southeastern states.

Newsweek reached out for comment to Acme Smoked Salmon Corporation via online contact form on Wednesday.

Listeriosis, an infection of Listeria monocytogenes, can result in severe symptoms even in those who are otherwise healthy. About 260 of an estimated 1,600 annual cases are fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, the bacteria is a common cause of food recalls. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this month that more than 11.7 million pounds of "ready-to-eat meat and poultry products" had been recalled by manufacturer BrucePac over contamination concerns.

Most listeriosis infections are limited to the digestive system, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food. But a more invasive form of the illness develops in some within two weeks.

Symptoms of the invasive illness include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. About one in 20 people who contract the invasive form of listeriosis without being pregnant will die of the illness.

For those who are pregnant, symptoms are generally mild or nonexistent, but invasive illness "usually leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn," according to the CDC.