Listeria detected; salmon spreads recalled

Jensen's Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc. is recalling two smoked-salmon spread products because they may be contaminated with bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall includes 480 7-ounce plastic tubs of Jensen's Seattle Style Wild Smoked Salmon Spread Lemon Dill and Onion and 132 7-ounce plastic tubs of PCC brand Smoked Salmon Spread allnatural.

The products were distributed in Western Washington retail stores, the Seattle company said. .

The Jensen's wild smoked-salmon spread in question is coded "sell By 10/14/07 and 10/15/07" and the PCC brand Smoked Salmon Spread allnatural is coded "sell By 9/29/07."

The company said no illnesses have been confirmed.

"The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the company which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria," owner Mike Jensen said.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, or those with weakened immune systems.

While healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages among pregnant women, the release said. Products may be returned to the site of purchase for a refund.