Missouri Firm Recalls Curry Chicken Salad for Possible Listeria Contamination

S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The Chicken salad product, in three-pound bags, was produced on April 24, 2014, and shipped to Schnucks retail grocery locations for deli distribution in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. The following product is subject to recall: 3-lb.

” [ View Label (PDFOnly)] Because the products were sold at deli counters, consumer packaging may vary. Plastic containers in various sizes may bear a purchase date between April 24, 2014 and May 2, 2014. Bulk case labels or packaging may bear the case code 0989674 or 0963124 as well as establishment number iEST. P-13562” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The problem was discovered when routine product sampling by FSIS personnel tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes on April 28, 2014. This product was held by the firm and did not enter commerce. Further investigative sampling by the company later determined bulk walnuts from an outside supplier, an ingredient used in the product, may have been contaminated with the pathogen.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. FSIS is working in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration to further investigate the source of the contamination. 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. gov/recalls . Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Joannie Taylor, Director of Consumer Affairs, at (314) 994-4400.

Media with questions regarding the recall can contact Lori Willis, Director of Communications, at (314) 994-4602. m. m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. gov/reportproblem . gov Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat and poultry for at least 20 seconds. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water.

Immediately clean spills. Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna or other deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot. Do not eat refrigerated pate, meat spreads from a meat counter or smoked seafood found in the refrigerated section of the store. Foods that do not need refrigeration, like canned tuna and canned salmon, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening.

Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them. Do not eat salads made in the store, such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad. Do not eat soft cheeses, such as Feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses and Panela, unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk.

Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can. L. monocytogenes can grow in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40º F or cooler and the freezer 0º F or colder. Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator.

Product Contamination