Maine Seafood Company Recalls Cooked Lobster Meat After Positive Listeria Environmental Sample

Greenhead Lobster Products of Bucksport, ME, is voluntarily recalling all frozen and refrigerated cooked lobster meat products produced from May 9, 2023, through October 19, 2023, due to the potential for the product to be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.  Although none of the recalled product has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, the recall is being conducted based on the presence of the organism in the processing environment. No other Greenhead Lobster retail products are impacted by this recall, including raw products.

Greenland has a company video worth checking out.

https://greenheadlobster.com/wholesale/

They use HPP (high pressure process) to improve extraction of meat from the shell, followed by a steam cook step.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/greenhead-lobster-products-recalls-refrigerated-and-frozen-cooked-lobster-products-because-possible
Greenhead Lobster Products Recalls Refrigerated and Frozen Cooked Lobster Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 20, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  October 20, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Seafood/Seafood Product
Reason for Announcement:  Possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Greenhead Lobster Products LLC
Brand Name:  Greenhead Lobster
Product Description:  Refrigerated and Frozen Cooked Lobster

Company Announcement

BUCKSPORT – Greenhead Lobster Products is voluntarily recalling all frozen and refrigerated cooked lobster meat products produced from May 9, 2023, through October 19, 2023, due to the potential for the product to be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Although none of the recalled product has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, the recall is being conducted based on the presence of the organism in the processing environment. No other Greenhead Lobster retail products are impacted by this recall, including raw products.

The recalled product, Greenhead Lobster Fresh Cooked Lobster Meat was sold frozen or refrigerated in packages ranging from 1 to 2 lbs. or in cases up to 12 lbs. and can be identified with “best if used by” dates ranging from May 9th, 2025, to October 12th, 2025, for frozen product, and May 27th, 2023, to October 30th, 2023, for refrigerated product. The “best if used by” date is located on the white label on the front of the package. Products under recall are listed in the accompanying table.

Products were directly distributed to Maine and New Hampshire and then sold nationwide through wholesale distributers and online via e-commerce.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall, to date.

Consumers who have purchased any of the products listed should not consume the product and can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Greenhead Lobster Products is committed to the safety and quality of the products we provide to consumers across the nation. Our customer service desk is available to answer questions at Recall@greenheadlobster.com between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm EST.

Product Name Product Description Type of Packaging
CK (1 lb) Fresh HPP Cooked Meat Greenhead Lobster HPP Fresh Cooked Claw and Knuckle Meat GHL-CKF oxygen permeable bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. styrofoam box
CK (2 lb) Fresh Cooked Meat - Non HPP Greenhead Lobster Fresh Cooked Claw and Knuckle Meat CHL-CKF oxygen permeable bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. styrofoam box
CK (2 lb) Fresh HPP Cooked Meat Greenhead Lobster HPP Fresh Cooked Claw and Knuckle Meat GHL-CKF oxygen permeable bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. styrofoam box
Frozen 1 lb Cooked CK Meat Greenhead Lobster Frozen Cooked Claw and Knuckle Meat GHL-CK freezer poly bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. cardboard box
Frozen Broken Cooked Meat Frozen Cooked Broken Lobster Meat freezer poly bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. cardboard box
Frozen CK Cooked Meat -- 2lb Greenhead Lobster Frozen Cooked Claw and Knuckle Meat GHL-CK freezer poly bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. cardboard box
Frozen Tail Cooked Meat Frozen Cooked Lobster Tail Meat GHL-TAIL freezer poly bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. cardboard box
Frozen TCK Cooked Meat HPP Frozen Cooked Tail, Claw, and Knuckle Meat GHL-TCK freezer poly bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. cardboard box
TCK (1 lb) Fresh HPP Cooked Meat Fresh Cooked Lobster Tail, Claw, and Knuckle Meat GHL-TCK oxygen permeable bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. styrofoam box
TCK (2 lb) Fresh HPP Cooked Meat Fresh Cooked Lobster Tail, Claw, and Knuckle Meat GHL-TCK oxygen permeable bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. styrofoam box
TCK (2lb) Fresh NON-HPP Cooked Meat Fresh Cooked Tail, Claw, and Knuckle Meat GHL-TCK-2# oxygen permeable bag, master cased in a 12 lbs. styrofoam box