Chicken dinners recalled
Published 10:25 pm Friday, July 20, 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert on frozen boneless chicken dinners that were shipped to supermarkets in several states, including Virginia.
The recall is due to concerns that products may be contaminated with Salmonella from whey powder that has been recalled by the producer of the ingredient, according to a press release from FSIS.
The whey powder is an FDA-regulated product that is being voluntarily recalled by the producer, Associated Milk Producers Inc. Additional products containing the recalled whey powder may be added to this public health alert as more information becomes available.
The product currently subject to the public health alert is produced by Pinnacle Foods Inc., a Fayetteville, Ark., establishment. The recall involves 15.25-oz. individual frozen microwavable dinners labeled “HUNGRY MAN CHIPOTLE BBQ SAUCED BONELESS CHICKEN WYNGZ” and bearing a best-by date of Sept. 6, 2019.
The product bears establishment number “EST. P138” or “P-138” on the side of the carton. These products were shipped to retail locations in Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, but anyone concerned should contact a health care provider, the release stated.
The problem was discovered on July 17 when Pinnacle Foods Inc. was notified by its supplier that the recalled whey powder ingredient was used in the ranch dressing seasoning supplied to the firm. The ranch dressing seasoning was incorporated into mashed potatoes and packaged as a side with the boneless chicken dinner.
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.
Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness.
Consumers with questions about the product can contact Pinnacle Foods Consumer Care at 1-888-257-1057.
Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.