HEALTH ALERT: Listeria detected in smoked salmon from Spain

6/3/24, 7:13 AM By Ministry Of Health National Photo Credit: Pexels

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has issued an urgent food safety alert after detecting the presence of Listeria bacteria in smoked salmon products sold under fifteen different brands across Spain.

The alert was triggered following a notification from the Valencian Community via the Coordinated System for Rapid Information Exchange (SCIRI), warning of a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak detected in various brands of Spanish-origin smoked salmon.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can grow in chilled and refrigerated environments, making it particularly dangerous in foods that are kept cold. According to AESAN, which is part of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, the bacteria were found in batches starting with code 30A4.

The affected brands are as follows:

- Alepa

- Distrialacant

- Fajardo

- Guillermo Fernandez

- Hiperber

- La Cuna del Salazon

- Los Salaos

- Pablo Campillo

- Pertusa

- Saez

- Salazones Miguel Salinas

- Samar

- The Blueocean Seafood

- Tora

The contaminated products come in various formats, including:

- Smoked salmon in 80g, 100g, 200g, 250g, and 300g packages

- Smoked salmon in oil in 150g, 900g, and 3500g packages

- Pre-sliced smoked salmon in 1.2kg, 1kg, 700g, 600g, 500g, and 400g packages

- Smoked salmon fillets in 600g packages

- Pre-sliced marinated salmon in 600g packages

The initial distribution of these products was limited to the regions of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Murcia, but from there they have been redistributed to other regions across the country.

Health Advice:

AESAN advises consumers who have purchased these products to avoid eating them. If you have consumed any of the affected batches and are experiencing symptoms consistent with listeriosis—such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever—seek medical attention immediately.

This information has been shared to the relevant authorities in all regions of Spain through the SCIRI system to ensure the removal of the affected products from the market.

For your safety, please check your smoked salmon products and discard any from the identified brands and batches to prevent any risk of infection. Stay informed and take prompt action to safeguard your health.