Since mid-July, Statens Serum Institut (SSI) has registered seven patients with the same type of the food-borne bacterium Listeria monocytogenes . The patients are aged 33-89, are spread across the country, and six women and one man. All the patients have been hospitalized, and one has died within 30 days of detection of the listeria bacteria.
“By comparing bacteria from patients and environmental samples from the manufacturer, we have found that the bacteria are exactly the same. Combined with the fact that the patients have stated that they have eaten fish cakes, this shows that the infection came from here,” says Luise Müller, epidemiologist at SSI.
Abroad, two cases of illness with the same type of Listeria monocytogenes have been registered . It is known that one of them has also eaten Danish fish meatballs from the same manufacturer, but sold in a local supermarket chain.
The fish meatballs have been called back
The manufacturer Jeka Fish has recalled several varieties and lots of fish meatballs and has also initiated measures to avoid listeria in production.
“Jeka Fish has recalled fish patties, which have now been taken off the shelves. But if you have the products at home, it is important to throw them away or deliver them back to the store,” says Annette Perge, section manager at the Danish Food and Drug Administration.
The products are sold in Lidl and Coop stores (SuperBrugsen, Kvickly, Dagli’Brugsen, Brugsen and 365 Discount).
See which fishcakes have been recalled
The DTU Food Institute, SSI and the Danish Food and Drug Administration have analyzed and compared the listeria bacteria that were found in the patients and in environmental samples from the company, using DNA typing.
The type is the same as was found in fish patties from the same company in 2022.
What should you do if you have eaten fish cakes from the recalled batches?
Even if you have eaten the fishmeals that have now been recalled, there is very little risk that you will get sick. You are at risk of becoming seriously ill with listeria if you are older, have a weakened immune system due to another serious illness or are pregnant.
You should contact a doctor if you have a high fever, chills, muscle soreness and affected general condition; neck/back stiffness or altered level of consciousness.
Facts about listeria
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has a number of advice on how these particularly vulnerable groups can avoid Listeria:
- Eat cold-smoked fish, gravad fish and meat and fish cold cuts as fresh as possible
- Keep the refrigerator temperature at 5 °C or colder
- Avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and soft raw milk cheeses
Read more
Read more about the outbreak on SSI’s website.
How to avoid listeria if you are sick .
How to avoid listeria if you are pregnant .
FoodWorld 