The Food Standards Agency has raised the alarm over the risk that could be hiding in cold-smoked and cured fish.
The food safety watchdogs in England and Scotland issued an urgent reminder ahead of Christmas over listeria which could be lurking in popular delicacies.
It said consumers may be at higher risk when eating cold-smoked fish as it could contain listeria which can cause serious illness.
The bacteria causes listeriosis infection which can make pregnant women and newborn babies in particular seriously ill.
While listeriosis is relatively rare, it can cause stillbirth, miscarriage or sepsis or meningitis in newborn babies.
People with weakened immune systems – for example due to cancer or diabetes – and older people are at higher risk.
Listeria is most commonly found in ready-to-eat foods.
Here are some of the most common types according to the FSA.
Linden Jack, the head of food, feed and incidents policy unit at the FSA, said: ‘We understand that smoked fish is a popular choice during the festive season, and for many, with the proper precautions, it can be enjoyed safely.
‘However, we strongly encourage those at higher risk to either avoid cold-smoked fish or first cook it until steaming hot all the way through. This will ensure that any listeria present in the product is killed before it is eaten.
‘While the risk of listeria is generally low for most people, caregivers should avoid serving cold-smoked fish to family and friends who may be more vulnerable to infection if it hasn’t been cooked first.’
Since 2020, there have been 24 cases of listeriosis linked to an ongoing outbreak which the FSA, FSS, the UK Health and Security Agency and Public Health Scotland have been investigating.
Dr Gauri Godbole, the deputy director of Gastrointestinal Infections Food Safety and One Health at the UK Health Security Agency, said most people affected by listeriosis will see no symptoms or experience ‘mild diarrhoea which subsides in a few days.’
‘Those who are more vulnerable can be at risk of severe illness such as meningitis and life-threatening sepsis. Listeriosis in pregnancy can cause very serious illness in mothers and their babies,’ the added.
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