The Aspen Foods Division of Koch Meats, Chicago, is recalling 28,980 pounds of chicken products that may be contaminated with a particular strain of Salmonella enteritidis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced October 24. FSIS requested Aspen Foods conduct this recall because this product is known to be associated with a specific illness cluster.
The recalled product includes partially prepared chicken products sold by retailers under the Antioch Farms brand name, with “sell by” dates of October 1, 2015 and October 7, 2015. The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “P-1358” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The chicken products were produced on July 2, 2014 and July 8, 2014. These products were shipped to retail stores and distribution centers in Minnesota.
The product is identified as single 5-ounce plastic packets of Raw Stuffed Chicken Breast Breaded, Boneless Breast of Chicken with Rib Meat “A La Kiev”
FSIS was notified of an investigation of Salmonella enteritidis illnesses on October 9, 2014. Working in conjunction with Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FSIS determined that there is a link between the Chicken Kiev from Aspen Foods Division of Koch Foods and this illness cluster. Based on epidemiologic investigation, six case patients have been identified in Minnesota with illness onset dates ranging from August 17 to September 27, 2014. Among the six case patients with available information, one was hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. All 6 case patients reported chicken Kiev consumption prior to illness onset. Samples of product collected during the course of this investigation by Minnesota Department of Agriculture tested positive for Salmonella enteritidis with the outbreak strain. It is not known at this time if this outbreak strain has any drug resistance.
On October 17, FSIS received evidence that linked the illnesses associated with this outbreak to a specific product or production lot. Evidence that is required for a recall includes obtaining case-patient product that tests positive for the same particular strain of Salmonella that caused the illness, and packaging on product that clearly links the product to a specific facility and a specific production date, which were all met. FSIS is continuing to work with our public health partners on this investigation and will provide updated information as it becomes available.
