Following detection of Listeria monocytogenes during a July 19th inspection of the premises of Felix Custom Smoking, a seafood supplier in Monroe, Washington, the FDA, advised management of the results. The FDA inspection yielded 19 positive L. monocytogenes isolates from 104 samples including five from food contact surfaces. Management has enigmatically declined to recall implicated products and continues to process seafood in the facility.
FDA has advised consumers to destroy any products emanating from Felix Custom Smoking including ready-to-eat salmon, squid jerky and smoked hot and cold seafood under Felix brands. A customer of Felix, Loki Fish Company recalled product on August 23rd as a result of the FDA warning.
The management of Felix Custom Smoking is now officially aware of a high level of Listeria contamination in their plant. Refusal to recall product and rectify deficiencies in equipment and procedures will place the company in both criminal and civil jeopardy. The management of the company is well advised to review the circumstances of the Blue Bell Creamery following a trace-back investigation following a limited outbreak with a fatality. Demonstration of contamination in ice cream and plants resulted in recall of all ice cream products, closure of three production facilities and ultimately the takeover of the multigenerational enterprise. The CEO of the company who was aware of Listeria contamination is now facing criminal charges with the potential of a prison sentence followed by civil litigation.