Update: Barber Foods has expanded its July 2, 2015, recall to 1.7 million pounds of frozen, raw stuffed chicken products, according to a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service announcement issued Sunday, July 12, 2015. The recalled products were produced between Feb. 17, 2015, and May 20, 2015. A full list of products recalled as part of this expansion can be found here. Since the original recall on July 2, two more related illnesses have been identified. The scope of this recall expansion now includes all products associated with contaminated source material, FSIS stated. On July 2, 2015, Barber Foods recalled approximately 58,320 pounds of frozen, raw, stuffed chicken items produced on Jan. 29, Feb. 20, and April 23, 2015. Barber-Kiev_406x250The following product is subject to recall:

  • 2-lb. 4-oz. cardboard box containing 6 individually pouched pieces of “BARBER FOODS PREMIUM ENTREES BREADED-BONELESS RAW STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH RIB MEAT KIEV” with use by/sell by date of April 28, 2016, May 20, 2016 and July 21, 2016 and Lot Code number 0950292102, 0950512101, or 0951132202.

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “P-276” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products were shipped to retail locations nationwide and Canada. Following is the initial recall story posted July 3, 2015: Barber Foods, of Portland, Maine is recalling approximately 58,320 pounds of frozen, raw stuffed chicken product that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The Chicken Kiev item was produced on Jan. 29, Feb. 20, and April 23, 2015. The following product is subject to recall:

  • 2-lb. 4-oz. cardboard box containing 6 individually pouched pieces of “BARBER FOODS PREMIUM ENTREES BREADED-BONELESS RAW STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH RIB MEAT KIEV” with use by/sell by date of April 28, 2016, May 20, 2016 and July 21, 2016 and Lot Code number 0950292102, 0950512101, or 0951132202.

The product subject to recall bears the establishment number “P-276” inside the USDA mark of inspection. This product was shipped to Sam’s Club retail stores in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The product subject to recall has not been available for retail sales since June 26, 2015; however, FSIS suspects that consumers may have this item in their freezers. FSIS was notified of a cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses on June 24, 2015. Working in conjunction with Minnesota State Departments of Health and Agriculture, FSIS determined that there is a link between the Chicken Kiev product from Barber Foods and this illness cluster. FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Although the product subject to recall may appear to be cooked, this product is in fact uncooked (raw) and should be handled carefully to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. Particular attention needs to be paid to safely prepare and cook these raw poultry products to a temperature of 165° F checking at the center, the thickest part and the surface of the product. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the organism. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)