Polar Salmon recalls all lots and all products for potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

The Department of Defense (DoD) initiated a recall of all lots and all fish products of Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks A/S in Europe, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a DoD Europe recall message sent June 30.

Listeria monocytogenes may cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy adults may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infections may also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The illness caused by these bacteria can take up to 70 days to appear. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, Chief, Public Health Division, DeCA Headquarters and Support Center at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.       

The following items are affected by this recall:

• Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks A/S premium smoked salmon, 100 grams: EU Plant Code: DK 1746 EC, all fish, cold smoked, products and all lots.

For questions regarding this recall, please contact the Consumer Safety Specialist, Yvonne Werner, yvonne.werner2.ln@health.mil, DSN: 314-590-9725, COM: (GERMANY) +49 06371-9464-9725.