SFA recalls Norwegian salmon after harmful bacteria detected

SINGAPORE — In a press release on Wednesday, July 31, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) gave a directive for all fresh Atlantic Norwegian salmon to be recalled after the presence of listeria monocytogenes bacteria was detected in a July 25 batch.

Local importer Yu Fish Pte Ltd. was informed by their Norwegian supplier that a July 25 batch of fresh Atlantic salmon had the aforementioned bacteria, which can cause a bacterial disease called listeriosis.

The SFA issued an imperative to Yu Fish Pte Ltd. to recall all the salmon products. The recall process is currently ongoing.

The SFA is also issued a warning to customers who have already purchased the Atlantic salmon from Norway — the fish must be cooked very thoroughly before consumption as it kills the listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

Partly cooking the salmon or having it raw is very dangerous; the listeria monocytogenes may cause a serious bacterial infection called listeriosis, which can cause mild flu-like symptoms, headaches, muscle aches, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Diarrhoea is also a difficult symptom of listeriosis.

Customers who don’t know if the salmon they purchased is affected should go back to the retail outlet where the purchase was made to inquire and check.

The disease primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

“Individuals who consumed listeria-contaminated food may not develop any disease. For those who fall ill due to the consumption of contaminated food, many experience mild symptoms such as fever and muscle aches, preceded by diarrhoea or other gastrointestinal symptoms,” said the SFA.

While the bacteria is transmitted by the consumption of contaminated food items, the SFA assured the public that it is not infectious and cannot be spread from one person to another.

According to the SFA, besides cooking food properly, bacterial diseases such as listeriosis can be prevented by being particularly careful and precise about practicing good hygiene, washing hands thoroughly before and after handling food and the safe handling, cooking and consumption of food.

Read this article previously published by The Independent for vital health and safety tips to prevent food-related illnesses. /TISG