WASHINGTON – The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for approximately 130,860 lbs of fully cooked, frozen, diced chicken products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The items were packed on Jan. 25, 2021, Jan. 26, 2021, March 23, 2021, and March 24, 2021. The products subject to the public health alert include:
- 4-lb plastic bags containing "FULLY COOKED CHICKEN MEAT ¾ DICED WHITE" with code 13530, Est. number P-18237, and pack dates of "01/25/2021" and "01/26/2021."
- 4-lb plastic bags containing "FULLY COOKED CHICKEN MEAT DARK/WHITE ¾ DICED" with code 16598, Est. number P-45638, and pack dates "24/MAR/2021" and "23/MAR/2021."
The products bear establishment numbers "P-18237" or "P-45638" inside the USDA mark of inspection and were distributed by Big Daddy Foods, Inc., a Houston firm. These items were further distributed to consumers at local food banks in Florida through the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program in individual food boxes. The products were distributed between Feb. 25, 2021 through March 1, 2021, and March 29, 2021 through April 8, 2021, at temporary locations.
The problem was discovered during routine FSIS inspection activities. Inspection personnel observed the products had been repackaged without the required recooking. A subsequent FSIS investigation determined other affected product had been further distributed in commerce. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
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.
Consumers who have received these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away.
