Foster Farms Recalls Frozen Pre-Cooked Chicken for Possible Listeria Contamination

Foster Farms is recalling approximately 39,747  pounds of frozen pre-cooked chicken products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

The frozen Chicken Breast Grilled Strips product was produced at the company’s processing plant in Farmerville, LA, on Aug. 5, 2014, and then shipped to retail warehouse locations in California, Texas, Utah and Washington state.  The following product is subject to recall:

• 3.5-lb. Plastic resealable bags containing frozen “Chicken Breast Grilled Strips.”

The affected product packaging will bear the establishment number “P-33901” as well as a best-by date of 08-05-15.  The problem was discovered during the company’s routine in-plant inspection. While some of the product was set aside and held, the product subject to this recall was inadvertently shipped.  FSIS and Foster Farms have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.  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.  FSIS advises all consumers to reheat ready-to-eat product until steaming hot.  Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Teresa Lenz, Foster Farms Consumer Affairs Manager, at (800) 338-8051.  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 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 can spread 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 can occur 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.