Costco issues THIRD urgent recall in two days over fears popular seafood item tainted with listeria

Costco issues THIRD urgent recall in two days over fears popular seafood item tainted with listeria

 NIC WHITE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Costco's fish supplier has recalled thousands of smoked salmon packages over fears of listeria contamination, its third recall in days.

The bulk-buy store said packs of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon sold October 9 to October 13 were affected and should be returned for a refund.

Potentially contaminated items have lot number 8512801270 printed on the top right corner of the packaging and should not be eaten, Costco wrote in a letter.

Acme Smoked Fish Corp, which supplies Costco with smoked salmon, initiated the recall after it identified potential listeria contamination.

Recalling the products was not an indication of a confirmed listeria outbreak, and no illnesses were reported in connection with the affected fish.

Costco recalled many other products days earlier after being caught up in two other listeria contamination fears from big suppliers that hit major supermarkets.

They included Nutristore Freeze Dried Deluxe Meat and other ready-to-eat chicken products made by BrucePac, which recalled more than 11.7 million pounds of meat, and 24-packs of Krusteaz Belgian Waffles made by TreeHouse Foods.

Listeria is a deadly bacteria that causes the third-most food-related illness deaths in the US, after salmonella and toxoplasma gondii.

About 1,600 people are infected every year and 260 die, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. 

Food processing facilities are one of the places the bacteria can be spread and contaminate food, the CDC said.

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