Chicken and rice bowls packaged under the R Kitchen brand for the Roche Bros. grocery chain are under recall by manufacturer Hans Kissel Co. LLC for possible bacterial contamination because of a problem in a processing plant.

recalled R Kitchen sweet and sour chickenMore than three tons — 6,348 pounds — of two flavors of the R Kitchen branded microwavable, ready-to-eat chicken bowl entrées are included in the recall, posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

“A potential process defect” resulted in the potential survival of bacterial pathogens in the products, according to the recall notice. “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.”

recalled R Kitchen general tsos chickenFederal inspectors discovered the potential process defect during their routine in-plant verification activities.

The recalled products were produced for Roche Bros. by Hans Kissel Co. on various dates from Dec. 1, 2016, through Jan. 16 this year. Consumers can identify the recalled products by looking for the following label information:

  • R Kitchen Sweet & Sour Chicken 16-ounce lidded bowls; and
  • R Kitchen General Tso’s Chicken 16-ounce lidded bowls.

Labels on both flavors of chicken bowls have the establishment number “P-7573” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These recalled chicken bowls were shipped only to the Roche Bros. chain, which has about 20 stores in the Boston area. No illnesses had been reported in connection with the recalled products as of Jan. 20.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Bob Lijana, director of quality assurance and food safety, Hans Kissle Co. LLC. at 978-556-4500.

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