Salmon Recall Update as FDA Sets Most Serious Risk Level
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its classification of Santa Monica Seafood Company's recall of its "Atlantic Salmon Portions with Seafood Stuffing" product as the highest risk category.
The FDA classified the recall as a Class I, due to the fact the product contained an undeclared allergen—soy.
Newsweek has contacted Santa Monica Seafood Company outside of regular hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Soy is one of the nine major allergens alongside tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, milk, eggs, fish and crustacean shellfish. While it is not the most common allergy in the country, almost 2 million Americans cannot eat soy, according to a report by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
For Americans with food allergies, products that do not have clear allergen information pose high and even life-threatening risks. Allergic reactions can vary from milder symptoms to severe skin reactions, sneezing, vomiting or life-threatening airway swelling.
A photo of the affected product in the Santa Monica Seafood Company.
A photo of the affected product in the Santa Monica Seafood Company.
FDA
What To Know
Santa Monica Seafood recalled its "Atlantic Salmon Portions with Seafood Stuffing" on May 24, and the FDA proceeded to classify the recall on June 12.
A Class I classification indicates it is a situation in which "there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
The affected product was sold in 16 oz packages, with a lot number of 197940521, a use or freeze by date of June 2, 2025, and a UPC 4061459716313.
In total, 150 cases of the product were distributed to Aldi stores in California, Nevada, and Arizona.
The company identified the issue during an inspection of label proofs from a completed production batch, when it was found that the allergen, soy, was not listed in the ingredients.
"This labeling error means that individuals with a soy allergy may unknowingly consume the product," the company said in its announcement.
No allergic reactions connected to this recall had been reported as of May 24, and the FDA did not disclose if any had been reported in its classification update.
What People Are Saying
James R. Baker Jr., a professor of biologic nanotechnology and internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, told Newsweek: "A person with soy allergy would react immediately after they ate a contaminated food. In that it could be within actually a few minutes of eating, they can experience reactions such as a skin, rash or swelling, trouble breathing, and that could evolve into dangerously low blood pressure. There may be a little warning of this type of allergic reaction however, they may notice some tingling in their lips or tongue before the more serious elements of the reaction occur."
What Happens Next
Consumers with soy allergies who purchased the recalled salmon are urged not to eat it and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions, consumers may contact Santa Monica Seafood at 1-800-969-8862, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
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