Health
SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Dr. Karen Smith warned consumers today not to eat certain batch codes of Santa Barbara Smokehouse’s cold-smoked salmon because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can lead to severe illness or death.
CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently investigating Santa Barbara Smokehouse in Santa Barbara, California, due to bacteriologic contamination found in the processing facility and in a packaged sample of smoked salmon.
Santa Barbara Smokehouse has initiated a voluntary recall of all cold-smoked salmon manufactured at its Santa Barbara facility between March 1, 2015 and April 8, 2015, after learning about Listeria monocytogenes contamination in a product surveillance sample and environmental samples collected at the processing facility. No illnesses have been associated with the recalled products at this time.
Santa Barbara Smokehouse’s recalled cold-smoked salmon was packed under the Cambridge House, Channel Islands, Coastal Harbor, Santa Barbara, North Shore, S.F. Specialty, and Harbor Point brand names. The recalled products were vacuum-packed and distributed as both fresh and frozen products.
The CDPH Web site, www.cdph.ca.gov , has a list of the specific product names and batch codes affected by this recall. Example photos of the affected products can be seen here.
CDPH recommends not eating any cold-smoked salmon manufactured by Santa Barbara Smokehouse with the affected batch numbers. CDPH also recommends that anyone in possession of these recalled products return them to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of the product into a garbage bag and put it in the trash.
The brands of smoked salmon identified above were likely distributed to wholesale food distributors, airline catering companies, and foodservice distributors. Subsequent product distribution may have resulted in retail sales to consumers.
Santa Barbara Smokehouse continues to work with CDPH and FDA to address any potential sources of contamination in the processing environment. CDPH continues to work with Santa Barbara Smokehouse to determine the distribution of potentially affected products.
Symptoms of Listeria infection may include high fever, headache and neck stiffness. Infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe illness and death. Listeria infection in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery or infection of the newborn baby. The CDPH Web site has more information about Listeria infection.
CDPH recommends that consumers who feel sick after eating cold-smoked salmon products should consult their health care provider.
Consumers that see smoked salmon with the affected batch numbers manufactured by Santa Barbara Smokehouse being sold are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll-free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
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U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Dave Reichert (R-WA) introduced the bipartisan Medicare Secondary Payer and Workers’ Compensation Settlement Agreement Act, H.R. 2649, along with the Senate version introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Bill Nelson (D-FL).
The legislation is intended to protect injured workers whose compensation claims overlap with Medicare coverage.
Unfortunately, these claims are frequently subjected to lengthy and roundabout reviews by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine appropriate set-aside amounts to pay for future medical costs in which Medicare may have an interest.
These delays unfairly affect the injured worker making the claim.
“Bureaucratic red-tape shouldn’t keep hardworking Americans from getting the money they need to cover their costs following a work-related injury,” said Thompson. “Injured Workers deserve peace of mind and the system needs to work quickly and seamlessly. I look forward to working with Congressman Reichert to pass our legislation and help make this happen.”
“Hard-working Americans should not be jeopardized by inefficient, unnecessary bureaucratic procedures,” said Reichert. “Instead, injured workers should have confidence that the system is working to protect them and that their claims will be reviewed and processed fairly and quickly. I thank Congressman Thompson for joining me in introducing this bill that would ensure the system serves the American worker and their family rather than the other way around.”
“Too often, workers who are injured are forced to deal with bureaucratic red tape,” Portman stated. “This commonsense bill will help those suffering from a work-related injury get the care they need and get back on their feet sooner.”
The Medicare Secondary Payer and Workers’ Compensation Settlement Agreements Act establishes clear and consistent standards for an administrative process that provides reasonable protections for injured workers and Medicare.
It would benefit injured workers, employers and insurers by creating a system of certainty, and allows the settlement process to move forward while eliminating millions of dollars in administrative costs that harm workers, employers and insurers.
The legislation has widespread support from groups such as the American Insurance Association, the American Bar Association, the National Council of Self-Insurers, Property Casualty, Insurers Association of America, UWC-Strategic Services and the Workers Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG).
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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