The FDA has closed Jensen’s Old Fashioned Smokehouse in Seattle, Washington, after environmental samples confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the facility. Inspectors found the pathogenic bacteria in food processing and storage areas.
The facility is subject to a consent decree of permanent injunction that was entered in 2001. Under that decree, the company “agreed to comply with requirements to control food safety hazards and ensure that its products are not adulterated.”
To resume production, Jensen’s must meet several requirements, including cleaning and sanitizing the facility and hiring an expert to develop a Sanitation Standard Operation Procedure, along with an environmental monitoring program for Listeria. In addition, the company must test samples of all vacuum-packaged smoked fishery products on hand for Listeria, and give the FDA the results.
The company makes smoked fish products. It distributes them in its retail store, online, and through other facilities in Washington, Oregon, and California.
