Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Recalled Chicken Liver

A salmonella food poisoning outbreak that has sickened nearly 170 people appears to be linked to chicken liver products sold in eight states, according to health regulators.

A broiled chicken liver recall was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on November 8, after health inspectors linked numerous cases of food poisoning to products distributed by Schreiber Processing Corporation based in Maspeth, New York.

Health inspectors have linked the illnesses to a strain of Salmonella Heidelberg found in broiled chicken liver products.

According a salmonella outbreak report by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, at least 169 people in five states have fallen ill after eating the company’s chicken livers. The state of New York has 89 reported chicken liver food poisoning cases, with 56 of those in New York City. Another 64 have been identified in New Jersey, nine in Maryland, seven in Pennsylvania, and one case in Minnesota. At least 17 people have been hospitalized.

The recall affects broiled chicken livers sold by Schreiber Processing Corporation in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Florida, Ohio and Rhode Island.

The products affected by the recall include 10 lb. boxes with two, 5 lb. bags of “Meal Mart Broiled Chicken Liver; Made For Further Thermal Processing” and 10 lb. boxes of loose packed “Chicken Liver Broiled.” All of the recalled products will have an establishment number of P-787 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Salmonella attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe symptoms. For most healthy adults, problems associated with food poisoning from salmonella typically resolve after a few days or weeks. However, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of suffering severe food poisoning after ingesting the bacteria. If not properly treated, some cases of salmonella food poisoning can lead to hospitalization, dehydration or death.