Foster Farms recalls nearly 40,000 pounds of frozen chicken for possible Listeria contamination
Foster Farms is recalling 39,747 pounds of frozen pre-cooked chicken that may be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
According to the USDA, the affected product is 3.5-pound plastic resealable bags containing frozen "Chicken Breast Grilled Strips."
The chicken was produced on August 5th, 2014 at a Farmerville, Louisiana plant with establishment number "P-33901" and a best by date of 08-05-15.
The product was shipped to locations in Washington, California, Utah and Texas, according to the USDA.
Officials said the problem was discovered during a routine inspection: "While some of the product was set aside and held, the product subject to this recall was inadvertently shipped."
So far, no illnesses have been reported linked to this product.
The USDA released this information:
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Teresa Lenz, Foster Farm Consumer Affairs Manager, at (800) 338-8051.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.