That's a lot of chicken to recall

Nearly 1000 tonnes of chicken product has been recalled in the US after an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis. Epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback information has indicated that raw, frozen, stuffed and breaded chicken entrees produced by Aspen Foods are the likely source of the infections.

A Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Department of Agriculture (MDA) investigation established that three illnesses in Minnesota occurred after people had eaten Antioch Farms brand cordon bleu stuffed chicken breast, which is produced by Aspen Foods.

MDH and MDA collected 30 samples of unopened Antioch Farms brand frozen chicken entrees produced by Aspen Foods from retail locations for laboratory testing. MDA isolated Salmonella from 25 of these samples. In addition, MDH and MDA collected one sample of unopened Antioch Farms brand chicken broccoli and cheese from an ill person’s home for laboratory testing and isolated Salmonella from this sample. Laboratory testing is ongoing.

On 15 July 2015, Aspen Foods recalled approximately 897,514 kg of frozen, raw, stuffed and breaded chicken products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The recall included products sold under 19 different brand names, including Antioch Farms, that were shipped to retail stores and food service locations nationwide. The chicken products were produced between 15 April 2015 and 10 July 2015.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the organism. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhoea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalised. Older adults, infants and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness.