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RECALL ALERT: Specific ready-to-eat smoked fish products from Lidl linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes which has potential to cause meningitis and life-threatening sepsis


By Hector MacKenzie

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The warning to consumers comes today from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The warning to consumers comes today from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are warning consumers about specific ready-to-eat smoked fish products from Lidl linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes.

Products produced by St James Smokehouse and sold under Lidl’s Deluxe Oak Smoked Scottish Louch Trout and Lighthouse Bay Smoked Trout Trimmings ranges are being recalled because they may contain Listeria monocytogenes.

The products are:

Lidl Deluxe Oak Smoked Scottish Louch Trout

100g

All use By Date between and including 20/12/2022 and 06/01/2023

Lighthouse Bay Smoked Trout Trimmings

120g

All use By Date between and including 20/12/2022 and 06/01/2023

Consumers should not eat the above products and return them to Lidl for a full refund.

Ian McWatt, deputy chief executive at FSS/Junior Johnson, director of operations, FSA said: “Lidl has done the right thing in instigating this recall and their caution is to be commended. The ongoing investigation into a Listeria outbreak has identified the presence of a strain of Listeria monocytogenes which has caused serious illness. We are therefore warning consumers about these recalled products.

“As we approach the peak of the festive season, we know consumers are more likely to eat smoked fish, such as smoked salmon and trout. While investigations into the outbreak continue, FSS and FSA are reminding vulnerable consumers of the advice more generally around consuming smoked fish – it must be heated until it is steaming hot, before they eat it. While the risk of listeria is low to the general consumer, all consumers should follow this advice if they are serving smoked fish to elderly and other vulnerable relatives and friends over the festive period.”

To date, the investigation has identified 15 linked cases of listeriosis since 2020, with eight of these since January 2022. Cases have been identified in England, Scotland and Wales.

Listeriosis is a form of food poisoning caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Most people who are affected get mild gastroenteritis which subsides in a few days.

However, certain individuals are particularly at risk of severe illness such as meningitis and life-threatening sepsis. These include those over the age of 65, those with certain underlying conditions such as cancer, liver and kidney failure or who are taking medications which can weaken the immune system.

Listeriosis in pregnancy can cause miscarriages and severe sepsis or meningitis in new-born babies.

You can find out more about the risks of listeria on the FSS website.

What is the point of Food Standards Scotland?

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) was established on 1 April 2015 by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non-ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from the Scottish Government.

The objectives of FSS as set out in the Food (Scotland) 2015 Act are to:

  • protect the public from risks to health which may arise in connection with the consumption of food
  • improve the extent to which members of the public have diets which are conducive to good health
  • protect the other interests of consumers in relation to food.

In May 2021, FSS published its second five-year strategic plan ‘Safe, Healthy Sustainable: Driving Scotland’s Food Future for 2021-2026’. During this period, FSS will focus on the issues that matter most to people in Scotland, including renewed emphasis on improving the Scottish diet and associated negative health consequences.


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