CostCo Rotisserie Chicken Salad May Be Contaminated With Salmonella, FSIS Warns

A food safety alert was issued for rotisserie chicken salad sold from a Washington-based Costco store, after several customers suffered salmonella food poisoning. 

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released a public health alert October 9. warning Costco consumers about tainted rotisserie chicken salad, which was sold from the Costco Store #1190 in Lynwood, Washington. The product was produced between August 26 to September 2, 2016, in varying weights.

The recalled Costco chicken salad was sold directly to consumers who shopped at the Lynwood store.

On September 26, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified FSIS of an investigation of Salmonella in the state of Washington. Later, the CDC and Washington State Department of Health linked the Salmonella illnesses to the rotisserie chicken salad from Costco.

Sickened patients were identified with illness onset dates ranging from September 2 to September 6. Three of the patients ate the rotisserie chicken salad purchased August 26, August 31 and September 2.

The FSIS is also concerned that some consumers may have purchased the rotisserie chicken salad product and frozen it. Those consumers may be unaware the product is contaminated and keeping contaminated product in their freezer for future consumption.

So far, no chicken salad products have tested positive for this strain of Salmonella.

The FSIS said in a statement the clinical isolates associated with the investigation were also tested for antibiotic-resistance. Thus far, three isolates from Washington State have tested positive for resistance to tetracycline only and a susceptibility to other antibiotics commonly used to treat salmonellosis.

Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis and seriously sicken the affected person. Salmonellosis is one of the most common food borne illnesses. Common symptoms of the illness include, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the tainted product.

Salmonellosis typically lasts 4 to 7 days and most patients recover without needing medical treatment. In some more serious cases, patient’s diarrhea may be so severe the patient needs hospitalization and IV fluids.

The illness can be especially problematic for older adults, infants and people with weakened immune systems. These patients are more likely to become severely ill. The FSIS warns those concerned about Salmonellosis should contact their doctor.

The agency warned anyone who purchased the product on those specific purchase dates should not eat the chicken salad. Instead, throw the food away or return it to where it was purchased for a refund.