Two large distributors of packaged chicken products have recalled massive quantities of meat due to listeria contamination. Pilgrim’s Pride recalled 18,312 pounds of chicken nuggets and chicken fillets and Flying Foods has recalled nearly 7,000 pounds of ready-to-eat turkey, chicken, pork and beef products. No cases of sickness have been reported.
The Pilgrim’s Pride product being recalled is the “Pilgrim’s Pride Fully Cooked Chicken Breast Breaded Nugget Shaped Patties with Rib meat,” sold in Dollar General stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Each two-pound bag is marked with the code “P-7091A.” The problem was found during routine testing. Consumers with questions about this recall are encouraged to call a company’s representative at (800) 321-1470, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The separate Flying Foods recall affects many more products which are sold at Starbucks and other retail outlets. The initial recall was issued on July 19, and was expanded today. Nationally, the Starbucks “Bistro Box” items may be contaminated, including the chicken lettuce wrap, the salami and cheese box, the chipotle chicken wrap and the chicken and hummus box. For further details about regional RaceTrac and F&L Cafe products being recalled in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, please see the news release on the FSIS website.
According to WebMD, Listeria is kill by cooking, but can be spread to cooked foods in processing plants. It can also live and reproduce in refrigerated environments.
Also Read:
Starbucks’ Ready-to-Eat Chicken Products Recalled
Protect Your Family Against Food Borne Illness
Basics on Food Storage Safety to Avoid Illnesses