The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert today due to concerns about Salmonella illnesses that “may be associated with a chicken salad product sold from Costco Store #1190,” located in Lynwood, Washington.
The public health alert and recall is for varying weights of “Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad.” Costco produced the chicken salad August 26th through September 2nd, and the salad was sold directly to consumers who shopped in that store.
CDC Alerts Food Safety and Inspection Service of Ongoing Illness Investigation
According to the public health alert issued by FSIS, “on September 26, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified FSIS of an investigation of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- illnesses in the state of Washington.”
The FSIS worked with the CDC and Washington State Department of Health to investigate the illnesses. In the course of their investigation, “FSIS determined that there is a possible link between rotisserie chicken salad from Costco’s Alderwood store in Lynwood, Wash. and these illnesses.”
Chicken Salad Identified as Culprit for Multiple Illnesses
Patients have been identified based on epidemiological evidence. The onset date for identified case-patients ranges from September 2 to September 6th. A traceback investigation revealed that three people had consumed rotisserie chicken salad purchased on August 26, August 31 and September 2, 2016 from this Costco location.
The agency concedes that to date, no product has tested positive for this strain of Salmonella. However, in testing for antibiotic resistance, three clinical isolates from Washington State were found resistant only to tetracycline and susceptible to other antibiotics commonly used to treat salmonellosis.
According to the agency, “FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.”
Consumers who have purchased this product on August 26, August 31 and September 2, 2016 are urged not to consume it. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
If you or a family member became ill have been diagnosed with Salmonella and you would like to explore pursuing a legal claim, speak with a skilled food poisoning lawyer at Ron Simon & Associates for a free case evaluation by calling 1-888-335-4901 or contacting us online.
