Urgent recall as listeria found in smoke salmon pate

Listeria has been detected in smoked salmon pate produced at Mt Barker. There is a recall and an urgent health alert not to eat two Harris Smokehouse products.

This article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. Get full digital access to trusted news from The Advertiser and Messenger with our great introductory offer.

An urgent health alert has gone out after listeria was detected in smoked salmon pate produced in the Adelaide Hills.

Authorities warn South Australians, particularly pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, not to consume two pre-packaged smoked salmon paté products from Harris Smokehouse.

No cases of illness have yet been reported and the products have been removed from supermarket shelves.

The Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Food Safety and Regulation Branch on Wednesday received confirmation of listeria present in the products.

Harris Smokehouse, based at Mt Barker, has initiated a recall of two of its smoked salmon paté products and is working with SA Health and the District Council of Mount Barker to isolate the source of the contamination.

The products are sold through independent food retailers including IGA and Foodland stores, but recalled products were only sold through SA food retailers.

No other state is implicated in this recall.

All affected products have been removed from store shelves but anyone who has purchased these products is advised to not eat it, and either return it to the place of purchase or discard it.

Products included in the recall are:

• Harris Smokehouse Smoked Salmon Paté 175g;

• Harris Smokehouse Everyday Smoked Salmon Paté 150g.

The affected products have use-by dates of 15 July 2022, 18 July 2022, 19 July 2022, 20 July 2022 and 21 July 2022.

People who have purchased the pate are advised to either throw it out or return to where you bought it for a refund.

Harris Farm Smokehouse Smoked Salmon Pate 175g.

Listeria infection usually results in no or a mild illness, but can cause serious illness in vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, immunosuppressed individuals, pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Symptoms of infection include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness and gradual onset of confusion. People can start experiencing symptoms within a few days, but symptoms can take up to six weeks to appear after eating contaminated product.

If symptoms develop, people are advised to see their GP and those in the at-risk groups should consult their GP as early as possible if any symptoms appear.

Department for Health and Wellbeing’s director of food safety and regulation, Karen Ferres said so far there have been no cases of listeriosis notified to the Communicable Disease Control Branch linked to this product.

“While the products have now been removed from stores, its important consumers are warned not to consume the product if they have purchased it,” she said.

“Listeria can have serious health implications for vulnerable members of our community, particularly pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

“Ready to eat seafood patés and dips are considered as high-risk listeria foods, so we recommend that vulnerable persons avoid consuming these types of products.”

For more information see sahealth.sa.gov.au/foodsafety.