Fishy business at Kroger: Foppen Seafood recalls smoked salmon from 15 states due to listeria concerns, advising customers to discard their toast-sized treats like yesterday's leftovers.

In an effort to reel in a potential health hazard, Foppen Seafood is recalling its Smoked Norwegian Salmon Slices sold at Kroger and Pay Less Super Market stores across 15 states. The recall, initiated due to the possible presence of listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious infections, covers 8.1-ounce toast-sized slices identified by lot number 412. Customers are advised to return or toss out the product, while the company works alongside Kroger and the FDA to ensure that no one else gets more than they bargained for in their bagel.

Those awaiting their next salmon fix might want to check their refrigerators first. Foppen Seafood is pulling back its Smoked Norwegian Salmon Slices from stores due to the unwelcome presence of listeria monocytogenes. This rather uninvited guest showed up in toast-sized, 8.1-ounce packages of the salmon, with a very specific calling card: lot number 412.

Now, if you happen to have purchased any of these suspect slices, don't panic. But do take action. Foppen Seafood advises consumers to either discard the infected salmon or return it to the store for a refund. It's a little like sending poorly behaved fish to time-out. Not exactly fodder for household bragging rights.

The recall is sizable, impacting customers across 15 states. So if you're in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or West Virginia, you might want to double-check those groceries.

Listeria monocytogenes is not just a mouthful to say; it's a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, an infection that nobody is asking for. Symptoms of listeriosis range from mildly inconvenient, like fever and muscle aches, to notably disturbing — including headaches, stiff necks, confusion, and in severe cases, convulsions. Probably not the kind of side effects you had in mind when you were planning that elegant smoked salmon appetizer.

But who is most likely to get listeriosis? Well, listeria monocytogenes isn't terribly picky but does have some preferred playmates. Pregnant individuals, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at the top of its friend list. So, if you or someone you know falls into these categories, a bit of extra vigilance won't hurt.

Listeriosis isn't exceedingly common, but it's not exactly rare, either. On average, about 1,600 Americans contract listeriosis each year, and unfortunately, around 260 of these cases result in fatalities. Not quite the fish tale anyone wants to tell at dinner.

To prevent any further meet-and-greet sessions between consumers and listeria, Foppen Seafood is working diligently with Kroger and the FDA. The goal here is straightforward: eliminate the risk and make sure that your next bite of salmon doesn't come with a bacterial bonus.

For those curious minds who have questions, Foppen Seafood has set up a help line. Customers can reach out to the company’s U.S. office at 844-646-0928. Alternatively, emails can be sent to supportQ1087@foppenseafood.com. With any luck, the helpful folks on the other end will assist in untangling the mysteries of this recall.

Foppen Seafood wants to assure you that this incident is an exception, not the rule. Foppen claims to operate to high standards of health, safety, and quality control. They are, as they say, casting a wide net to ensure this doesn't happen again. No word yet on whether their salmon packs have agreed to a bacteria-free pledge going forward.

So as you spread the cream cheese on your next bagel, rest easy knowing efforts are in place to keep your salmon both delightful and safe. Just maybe check that lot number first – lest you invite an unwelcomed microscopic guest to your breakfast table.