Ready-to-eat chicken from National Steak and Poultry that was recalled for undercooking is being used in products produced by other companies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) disclosed late Friday.
In a statement, FSIS said it does not have confidence in the safety of any subsequently produced products that have used or incorporated the chicken products that were recalled by National Steak and Poultry on Nov. 23, with an expanded recall occurring on Dec. 4.
It is now believed the recalled undercooked chicken may be found in these products:
- Ajinomoto brand “Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Fried Rice”
- Archer Farms brand pizza products containing chicken
- Ferratto’s brand chicken pizza
- Best Choice brand chicken pizza
- Nuevo Grille brand chicken quesadillas
- Schwan’s brand chicken quesadillas
FSIS has issued a public health alert involving these establishment numbers: P-18356, P-2539B, P-1682A and P-17417all found inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to warehouses, distributors and retail locations nationwide.
A complete list of these products can be viewed here. And product labels can be viewed here.
Proper cooking of poultry products is essential to eliminate pathogens, such as Salmonella, which are commonly associated with raw poultry products.
FSIS became aware that the recalled chicken products were used as an ingredient in other FSIS-regulated products. This occurred prior to National Steak and Poultry identifying that the chicken products may have been undercooked. The agency is concerned with the safety of any secondary products that include the recalled chicken products. For safety reasons, consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.
FSIS says these establishments were not aware that the recalled poultry may have been undercooked at the time they further processed it into products for sale to consumers.
The agency says it opted to warn the public because of the large volume recalled, more than 922 tons, and because of the number of different establishments number now involved. FSIS will be conducting effectiveness checks to confirm that these products have been removed from commerce.
The original problem with National Steak and Poultry’s various RTE chicken products was discovered on Nov. 14 when a food service customer complained to the establishment that product appeared to be undercooked.
The recalled products, which have yet to make anybody sick as far as FSIS can tell, should be returned to their place of purchase.
Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.