Costco issues THIRD urgent recall in two days after popular seafood item is feared to be riddled with listeria

Costcos fish supplier has recalled thousands of smoked salmon packages over fears of listeria contamination, its third recall in days.

The bulk-buy store said packs of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon sold October 9 to October 13 were affected and should be returned for a refund.

Potentially contaminated items have lot number 8512801270 printed on the top right corner of the packaging and should not be eaten, Costco wrote in a letter.

Acme Smoked Fish Corp, which supplies Costco with smoked salmon, initiated the recall after it identified potential listeria contamination.

Costcos fish supplier has recalled thousands of smoked salmon packages over fears of listeria contamination, its third recall in days

The bulk-buy store said packs of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon sold October 9 to October 13 were affected and should be returned for a refund

Recalling the products was not an indication of a confirmed listeria outbreak, and no illnesses were reported in connection with the affected fish.

Costco recalled many other products days earlier after being caught up in two other listeria contamination fears from big suppliers that hit major supermarkets.

They included Nutristore Freeze Dried Deluxe Meat and other ready-to-eat chicken products made by BrucePac, which recalled more than 11.7 million pounds of meat, and 24-packs of Krusteaz Belgian Waffles made by TreeHouse Foods.

Listeria is a deadly bacteria that causes the third-most food-related illness deaths in the US, after salmonella and toxoplasma gondii.

About 1,600 people are infected every year and 260 die, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. 

Food processing facilities are one of the places the bacteria can be spread and contaminate food, the CDC said.

Potentially contaminated items have lot number 8512801270 printed on the top right corner of the packaging and should not be eaten

The three Costco recalls were the latest in a series of outbreaks, scares, and recalls across the US this year

Eating food with listeria monocytogenes can cause a person to develop a listeriosis infection, which is extremely dangerous for elderly adults, those with compromised immune systems and pregnant women along with their newborns.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions - and can lead to death.

All of these symptoms can come after diarrhea or other digestion issues.

Pregnant women can experience miscarriages, stillbirths or premature delivery of their infant if infected with listeria.

The three Costco recalls were the latest in a series of outbreaks, scares, and recalls across the US this year.

Dakota Toms Sandwiches this week recalled burgers sold in stores and truck stops in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming, also for listeria.

The burgers contain ingredients from BrucePac and include the groups Pepper Jack and Bacon cheeseburgers, and a ground round known as the Gambler.

Dakota Toms Sandwiches this week recalled burgers sold in stores and truck stops in South Dakota, North Dakota , Minnesota , Iowa , and Wyoming , also for listeria

BrucePac earlier this month recalled more than 11.7 million pounds of meat that were produced from June 19, 2024, to October 8, 2024.

That recall had a ripple affect to its customers across the US including Dakota Toms.

Also this month, 1,271 cases of green onions were voluntarily recalled by Church Brothers LLC on October 18.

This followed the discovery of a single product sample collected by Canadian Food Inspection Agency that indicated the presence of Salmonella.

The recalled products were distributed to a small number of stores in Canada and the US in eleven states, Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. 

Products in stores including the popular neighborhood grocer Trader Joes are being recalled for the potential contamination. 

1,271 cases of green onions were voluntarily recalled by Church Brothers LLC on October 18 

Several varieties of frozen waffles - including Walmart s Great Value and Targets Good & Gather - made by TreeHouse Foods were recalled due to a possible listeria contamination

Several varieties of frozen waffles - including Walmarts Great Value and Targets Good & Gather - made by TreeHouse Foods were recalled due to a possible listeria contamination the same week.

They were also sold at Dollar General, Aldis, Food Lion, Tops, Hannaford, H-E-B, PriceChopper, Publix, Schnucks, Southeastern Grocers and Harris Teeter. 

In September, 65 people got sick and 24 of them were hospitalized with listeria after eating eggs sold at Milos Poultry Farms and Tonys Fresh Market.

The outbreak originated at Milos Poultry Farms in Bonduel, Wisconsin, where they discovered the responsible strain in a hen egg-laying house and a packing facility. 

Wiers Farm voluntarily recalled some of its whole and bagged salad cucumbers sold at Walmart in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio in July after fears may have been contaminated with listeria.

Wiers Farm voluntarily recalled some of its whole and bagged salad cucumbers sold at Walmart in Michigan , Indiana , and Ohio in July after fears may have been contaminated with listeria 

In September, 65 people got sick and 24 of them were hospitalized with listeria after eating eggs sold at Milos Poultry Farms and Tonys Fresh Market. 

Earlier, at least one person was killed and 22 hospitalized among 75 reported cases of E. coli in McDonalds quarter pounder burgers in 13 states. 

Dessert manufacturer Totally Cool recalled products from more than a dozen brands and 70 different products in June after the FDA revealed they could be contaminated with listeria. 

Affected treats included Friendlys ice cream cakes, Hersheys ice cream cones and Jenis sandwiches. 

Hormel Foods Sales issued a recall for 4-ounce packages of Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts and 8.75-ounce cans of Planters Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts across five states in May.

The at-risk products were distributed to Publix warehouses in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina as well as Dollar Tree warehouses in South Carolina and Georgia.

Listeria found its way into 7.2 million pounds of liverwurst and other meats, leading to Boars Head dumping liverwurst forever and closing the plant 

The biggest foodborne pathogen outbreak was at deli meat giant Boars Head, when listeria contamination at its Virginia plant killed 10 people and hospitalized 59 across 19 states in July.

Listeria found its way into 7.2 million pounds of liverwurst and other meats, leading to Boars Head dumping liverwurst forever and closing the plant.

There have been 1,905 recalled food or cosmetic products so far this year, up from 1,563 in 2023, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

However, there were 2,549 recalls in 2014, and recalls were generally more common before the Covid pandemic.

There may be a perception that the amount of recalls has increased particularly if one recall event has a large number of affected products, however the number of food related recall events [in 2024] is generally consistent with years past, the FDA said. 

Experts said more recalls was actually a sign of better testing for contamination by food companies over the past two decades.