The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is currently investigating at least two outbreaks of Salmonella illnesses linked to the consumption of stuffed chicken products that are sold as breaded and pre-browned, but essentially still raw and that require cooking. The findings of the State of Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture, in coordination with local and state health officials, led to the public health alert. The products in both outbreaks appear to be frozen chicken products labeled as “chicken cordon bleu” or “chicken Kiev.” The FSIS was informed about the first Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak by officials from Minnesota on June 23, 2015. According to the public health alert, the victims began to experience the symptoms of salmonellosis sometime between May 9th and June 8th. The second outbreak was identified the next day, on June 24, 2015. The FSIS was notified by Minnesota health officials of a second, separate Salmonella Enteritidis illness cluster, which reflected a different PFGE strain of the potentially deadly bacteria. The second group of victims began to experience symptoms between April 5th and June 8th.
According to the public health alert, the products can appear to be ready-to-eat, but in reality require cooking. They are raw, but often a consumer may simply believe they can warm the product in the microwave oven – a procedure that does not kill Salmonella bacteria. So far, no name brands have been released and no recalls issued. The investigation into both outbreaks is ongoing, and it remains unclear how many individuals have been sickened.
For more information on this our other Salmonella outbreaks, or to get information on filing a Salmonella lawsuit, call the Salmonella Claim Center at the law office of Ron Simon & Associates at 1-888-335-4901.
