Sally Sherman Foods of Mount Vernon, NY, Thursday recalled 3,004 pounds of various chicken products that may contain Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The chicken salad items were produced on various dates between Feb. 2 and Feb. 18. The following products are subject to recall:

  • farmcrest_406x2064-pound plastic containers of Sally Sherman “Spa Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt,” with packaging dates of Feb. 2, 9, 11, and 18 and case codes of N-026; N-096; or N-114, N-184.
  • 4-pound plastic containers of Sally Sherman “Chicken Salad All White Meat,” with packaging dates of Feb. 2, 4, 11, and 18 and case codes of N-026; N-044; N-114; or N184.
  • 4-pound plastic containers of Sally Sherman “Deluxe Chicken Salad All White Meat,” with packaging dates of Feb. 4, 11, and 18 and case codes of N-044; N-114; or N184.
  • 4-pound plastic containers of Sally Sherman “Farmcrest Chicken Salad,” with packaging dates of Feb. 2, 4, 9, 11, and 18 and case codes of N-184; N-11;, N-026; N-044; or N-096.
  • 4-pound plastic containers of Sally Sherman “Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad,” with packaging dates of Feb. 4, 9, 11, and 18 and case codes of, N-044; N-096; N-114; or N-184.

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “P-4400” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distributor locations in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The possible pathogen contamination was discovered by in-plant sampling of products that returned positive results for Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS and the company have not yet received any reports of illness due to consumption of these products, but its really too early to tell. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria 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 can also experience illness. 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 newborns. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. People 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. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. 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. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)