Contact:
Amy Hopfensperger Schaefer
512-542-0380
/FDA/ — Austin, Texas — Whole Foods Market is recalling Whole Catch Lemon Pepper Garlic Hot Smoked Trout because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The recall was first announced January 9 but two additional states not previously included in the recall — Nevada and Colorado — may have also received shipments of the product.
The product, distributed by Whole Foods Market, may have reached consumers via stores in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
The product can be identified by a label that reads “Whole Catch Lemon Pepper Garlic Hot Smoked Trout.” This item comes in an 8-ounce, green colored package with yellow and white lettering and has a UPC Code of 9948241183. The batch number is 10724701 and the sticker can typically be found on the back of the package.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was initiated after random testing by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety. Other batches and other varieties of this product are not affected by this voluntary recall. The company continues an investigation as to what may have caused the problem.
Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Whole Foods Market has contacted its locations holding stocks of this product and has directed Store/Facility Team Leaders to remove this product from the shelves and to destroy it until a new supply becomes available. The recall does not affect any other Whole Foods Market product.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 512/542-0656.