Costco has recalled smoke salmon products due to potential contamination with a bacteria called listeria. The recall encompasses packages of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon with specified lot numbers sold between October 9 and October 13 are affected by the recall. This recall is the latest in a string of food-borne outbreaks in recent months. The ongoing e. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder has sickened 75 people, hospitalized 10 and killed one. Boar’s Head listeria outbreak in July caused 59 illnesses and killed 10. Yesterday, TreeHouse Foods, expanded its recall of frozen waffles and pancakes due to listeria contamination.
Germs can contaminate foods at various stages of its journey from the farm to your table. Food processing facilities are a common source of contamination. In general, the more a food is processed and handled, the greater the chance for bacterial/fungal growth. Most of our food today passes through a slew of processing, storage and distribution networks before it ends up in the store (or restaurant). This is one of the many reasons that public health experts have called for more localized food systems, which generally allow for fresher and safer food. In general, highly-processed, prepared or “ready-to-eat” foods are more likely to be harbor potentially dangerous bacteria than fresh, minimally processed, locally produced foods.
