SACRAMENTO - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Dr. Karen Smith warned consumers today not to eat certain batch codes of Santa Barbara Smokehouse’s cold-smoked salmon because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can lead to severe illness or death.

CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently investigating Santa Barbara Smokehouse in Santa Barbara, California, due to bacteriologic contamination found in the processing facility and in a packaged sample of smoked salmon.

Santa Barbara Smokehouse has initiated a voluntary recall of all cold-smoked salmon manufactured at its Santa Barbara facility between March 1, 2015 and April 8, 2015, after learning about Listeria monocytogenes contamination in a product surveillance sample and environmental samples collected at the processing facility. No illnesses have been associated with the recalled products at this time.

Santa Barbara Smokehouse’s recalled cold-smoked salmon was packed under the Cambridge House, Channel Islands, Coastal Harbor, Santa Barbara, North Shore, S.F. Specialty, and Harbor Point brand names. The recalled products were vacuum-packed and distributed as both fresh and frozen products. The CDPH Website has a list of the specific product names and batch codes affected by this recall. Example photos of the affected products can be seen here.

CDPH recommends not eating any cold-smoked salmon manufactured by Santa Barbara Smokehouse with the affected batch numbers. CDPH also recommends that anyone in possession of these recalled products return them to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of the product into a garbage bag and put it in the trash.

The brands of smoked salmon identified above were likely distributed to wholesale food distributors, airline catering companies, and foodservice distributors. Subsequent product distribution may have resulted in retail sales to consumers. Santa Barbara Smokehouse continues to work with CDPH and FDA to address any potential sources of contamination in the processing environment. CDPH continues to work with Santa Barbara Smokehouse to determine the distribution of potentially affected products.

Symptoms of Listeria infection may include high fever, headache and neck stiffness. Infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe illness and death. Listeria infection in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery or infection of the newborn baby. The CDPH website has more information about Listeria infection.

CDPH recommends that consumers who feel sick after eating cold-smoked salmon products should consult their health care provider. Consumers that see smoked salmon with the affected batch numbers manufactured by Santa Barbara Smokehouse being sold are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll-free complaint line at (800) 495-3232.