Recall of the Week: Raw, frozen, stuffed chicken entrees made by Barber Foods and Aspen Foods due to Salmonella contamination
July 20, 2015
Federal and state agencies are investigating two separate outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to raw, frozen, stuffed chicken entrees. The two outbreaks are caused by different strains of Salmonella Enteritidis.
On July 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert due to concerns about illnesses caused by Salmonella that may be associated with frozen chicken products.
On July 2, Barber Foods recalled about 58,320 pounds of frozen, raw, stuffed chicken items that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The company issued an expanded recall of about 1.7 million pounds of these chicken products on July 12, 2015. On July 13, Omaha Steaks issued a recall of stuffed chicken breast entrees that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Products included in the recall have the establishment number “P-276” or "P-4230A"on the packaging.
Products were shipped to retail locations nationwide and Canada and some were available for sale online. A list of recalled products is available and includes chicken cordon bleu, chicken Kiev, and chicken with broccoli and cheese.
Photos of recalled product labels are available.
Seven people infected with a strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported. They include five from Minnesota, one from Oklahoma, and one from Wisconsin. Two of the ill people were hospitalized. People became ill from April 5 to June 23. No deaths have been reported.
Advice to consumers
Consumers should check their freezers for any of the recalled frozen, raw chicken products and shouldn’t eat them.
They can return recalled products to the place of purchase or contact Barber Foods at 844-564-5555 or Omaha Steaks at 877-789-7117.
Consumers who buy raw, frozen, breaded, and pre-browned, stuffed chicken products, regardless of brand, should always handle them safely to prevent foodborne illness. The product may not look raw. It may appear to be pre-cooked because it may be breaded and browned. Follow cooking instructions exactly as they’re written on the package.
At this time, this outbreak hasn’t been connected with an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to raw, frozen, stuffed chicken entrees produced by Aspen Foods. For the information about that outbreak investigation, visit the outbreak webpage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, several states, and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are investigating the two outbreaks.
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