Loch Duart recalls salmon over listeria detection

Listeria bacteria (Photo Credit: Bioni )

Loch Duart Artisan Smokehouse has made three recalls of its oak smoked salmon due to detection of Listeria monocytogenes, or listeria.

The Scottish salmon smoker had first recalled a batch of its salmon on Aug. 23, which it extended to another batch on Aug. 30. On Sept. 6, Loch Duart then issued a third recall.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause illness in certain groups of people, such as pregnant women, unborn and newborn babies, and anyone with reduced immunity, particularly the over-60s, said the UK Food Standards Agency.

Science behind the story

Listeriosis, the foodborne illness caused by listeria, is relatively rare, but listeria causes more deaths from food poisoning in the UK for example than other foodborne bugs. Vulnerable groups of the population are at increased risk and many cases are associated with chilled ready-to-eat foods.

Listeriosis has a significant public health and economic impact because of its high hospitalisation and mortality rate. Most people infected with listeria are hospitalised and approximately a third die.

(UK Food Standards Agency)