Precooked frozen chicken products included in the recall.
Tyson Foods is recalling approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen, fully-cooked chicken over concerns of possible listeria contamination.
The voluntary recall was issued after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) identified three cases of listeriosis linked to the precooked chicken products from Tyson Foods, including one death.
According to the USDA, the chicken products may have been exposed to the harmful bacteria Listeria monocytogenes which can cause the infection. Symptoms of listeriosis include a fever, muscle aches, headache, convulsions and gastrointestinal issues.
The recalled products include frozen chicken strips, diced chicken breast and pulled chicken breast sold under brand names such as Tyson, Jet’s Pizza and Casey’s General Store.
The affected products were manufactured at a plant located in Dexter, Missouri between 26 December 2020 and 13 April 2021; and were distributed to retail customers and institutions such as hospitals, restaurants and schools nationwide and in Puerto Rico.
Packages of the products included in the recall bear the establishment code “EST. P-7089”.
Tyson said “while there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated at the time of shipment, the voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution”.
Scott Brooks, senior vice president of food safety and quality at Tyson Foods, said: “We’re committed to providing safe, healthy food that people rely on every day. We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety.”
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says it will continue its investigation to determine any additional illnesses linked to the recalled products.
The department urged consumers and foodservice and retail customers to throw away or return the frozen, fully-cooked chicken products.
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