CDC Links Salmonella Poisoning Outbreak to Recalled Raw Frozen Breaded Stuffed Chicken

Federal health officials are investigating a salmonella food poisoning outbreak, which has sickened at least 28 people across eight different states and appears to be linked to the consumption of certain frozen raw chicken products that are breaded or browned.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a salmonella poisoning outbreak update and a Serenade Foods frozen raw breaded stuffed chicken recall on August 9.

According to the CDC investigation, 28 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis have been confirmed in eight states, including Arizona (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (9), Indiana (4), Michigan (1), Minnesota (4), Nevada (1), and New York (7). Of those sickened, 11 have been hospitalized, requiring extended medical treatment.

The salmonella outbreak is believed to have started around February 21, and has lasted through June 28. However, it took until this week for the source of the outbreak to be identified, after packages of chicken taken from a victim’s home tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis.

The CDC first announced the salmonella outbreak in early June, but did not know the source at the time.

Serenade is now recalling approximately 59,251 pounds of frozen raw breaded stuffed chicken products, which have been sold under multiple brand names.

The recall affects frozen, raw, breaded and pre-browned stuffed chicken products produced between February 24, 2021 and February 25, 2021. Affected products include 5-oz individually wrapped packages of “Dutch Farms Chicken with Broccoli & Cheese” with lot code BR 1055 and a best if used by date of FEB 24 2023; 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Milford Valley Chicken with Broccoli & Cheese” with lot code BR 1055 and a best if used by date of FEB 24 2023; 10-oz box of two individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Milford Valley Chicken Cordon Bleu” with lot code CB 1055 and a best if used by date of FEB 24 2023; 6-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Kirkwood Raw Stuffed Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese” with lot code BR 1055 and a best if used by date of FEB 24 2023; and 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Kirkwood Raw Stuffed Chicken Cordon Bleu” with lot code CB 1056 and a best if used by date of FEB 25 2023.

The recalled products all bear establishment number “P- 2375” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distributors nationwide.

Since the products are browned or breaded, federal health officials indicate that consumers may now handle the raw chicken with the same precautions that are necessary to avoid food poisoning.

The CDC and FSIS are asking those who have any recalled products to not eat, sell, or serve the chicken. The recommend consumers either throw the recalled chicken away or return it to the store of purchase. Wash any items or surfaces the products touched. Finally, if you are feeling sick, contact a healthcare provider.

For healthy individuals, salmonella food poisoning symptoms typically include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain lasting between four and seven days. The illness can become worse due to the delay in treatment because the infection can only be diagnosed by testing stool samples and is usually treated with antibiotics.

Among pregnant women, salmonella poisoning may cause stillbirths and miscarriages. Occasionally, salmonella infections may travel through the bloodstream and produce illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis, which can cause severe to potentially life-threatening health consequences.