Recall: Huge Salmon Recall at BJ’s Wholesale Club Due to Listeria Concerns

I love a good deal on bulk protein as much as the next person. There is something deeply satisfying about buying a massive bag of frozen fish and feeling like you have dinner sorted for the next three weeks. But if you recently did a grocery run at BJ’s Wholesale Club in the Northeast, I need you to pause that meal prep immediately so we can talk about this recall.

We have a bit of a situation involving the Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon. Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. just issued a major recall, and unfortunately, the culprit is our old nemesis: Listeria monocytogenes.

Nobody wants a side of pathogens with their lemon butter sauce, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what you need to look for, why this bacteria is such a headache, and how to get your money back.

The Specifics of the Salmon Recall

First things first: don’t panic, but do go check your freezer. This isn’t a blanket recall on every fish in the sea, but it is specific to a very popular item sold at BJ’s.

Here is the exact data you need to look for. If your bag matches this, do not open it. Do not cook it. Do not pass go.

• Product: Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon
• Size: 2-pound bags (That’s the standard “I’m trying to eat healthy this month” size)
• The Important Numbers: Look for Lot Number 3896 and UPC Code 888670025963. You’ll usually find these printed on the back of the bag, probably hiding near the nutrition facts or the cooking instructions.
• Sales Dates: These bags were sold between January 31, 2026, and February 7, 2026.

If you bought salmon before or after this window, you’re likely in the clear, but honestly? I’d double-check that lot number anyway, just for peace of mind.

This recall impacts stores in seven specific states. If you shop at BJ’s in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Virginia, this warning is specifically for you.

Why Listeria is a Sneaky Villain

Okay, time for a quick nerdy biology sidebar because understanding the enemy helps you defeat it. Listeria isn’t like your average food poisoning bacteria. Most bacteria, like Salmonella or E. coli, generally hate the cold. They stop growing when you toss them in the fridge.

Listeria? It doesn’t care. It’s the “winter soldier” of bacteria. It can actually survive and even grow in cool, moist environments like refrigerators. While freezing usually stops it in its tracks, it doesn’t necessarily kill it—it just hits the pause button. Once that fish thaws, the bacteria can wake right back up.

For a healthy person with a solid immune system, a Listeria infection is miserable but usually manageable. We’re talking high fever, stiffness, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Basically, a ruined weekend.

However, this bug is genuinely dangerous for vulnerable groups. It can be incredibly serious for the elderly or anyone with a compromised immune system. The group at highest risk, however, is pregnant women. Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths, which is absolutely terrifying. This is why we take these recalls so seriously.

How Was This Discovered?

The good news here—if there is any—is that no illnesses have been reported yet. This wasn’t discovered because people started getting sick; it was caught because the FDA was doing its job.

The contamination was found during a random sample collection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They pulled a bag, tested it, found the bug, and pulled the alarm. It’s a solid reminder that while our food system is massive and complex, there are checks and balances in place to try and catch this stuff before it hits our dinner plates.

What You Need To Do Next

If you just raided your freezer and found a bag with Lot 3896, here is your game plan.

1. Do Not Eat It: Even if you think you can “cook the bacteria out,” it’s not worth the risk. Cross-contamination in your kitchen is real.
2. Seal It Up: If the bag is open, put it in another bag so it doesn’t leak on your frozen peas.
3. Get Your Refund: BJ’s Wholesale Club is already notifying members who bought this, but you don’t have to wait for them to call you. You can return the product to the store for a full refund.
4. Sanitize: If the bag was open or leaking in your freezer or fridge, wipe that area down with a mild bleach solution or a good disinfectant. Remember what I said about Listeria loving the cold? You don’t want it hanging out on your shelves.

If you have specific questions or just want to talk to a human about it, you can call the recall hotline at 1-888-628-0730. They can give you instructions on the refund and how to dispose of the product properly if you don’t want to drag a bag of fish back to the store.

Stay safe, check those labels, and maybe switch to chicken for tonight’s dinner.

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