Over the past seven years, at least 27 people in Denmark and five abroad have been affected by a Listeria infection originating from fish products from the company Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks. The State Serum Institut (SSI), the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, and the National Food Institute of Denmark, in collaboration with foreign authorities, have identified Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks as the source of two separate Listeria outbreaks from 2018 to 2024. A total of 27 people in Denmark have been affected by two different types of Listeria monocytogenes, which have also been found in products and environmental samples from Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks. All infected people have been hospitalized, and three have died within 30 days of detection of the Listeria. In a comparison of Listeria from patients to fish products from the manufacturer, it was concluded that the bacteria are identical at the DNA level. The bacteria has been found in fish products from Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks sold in Italy and Sweden, and a total of five cases of illness have been registered in Italy, Sweden, France, and Germany. The authorities became aware of the first Listeria outbreak in 2020. The first finding in food from Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks of one of the Listeria types that has caused illness was in products sold in Italy in July 2023. The company has withdrawn infected batches of salmon spreads several times. Still, the company has not reported all findings in its self-control program, which has led to police reports for the sale of dangerous, ready-to-eat foods. The case is still being investigated further by the authorities. @ https://www.ssi.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/2025/to-listeriaudbrud-kobles-til-fiskeproducent
