Life

Op-Ed: Another chicken recall — We must be doing something right

Published

July 16, 2015

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has determined this product recall is linked to a cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses in Minnesota. The Minnesota State Departments of Health and Agriculture, on June 23, 2015, confirmed the cluster.

Koch Foods issued a statement on July 15, 2015, saying the recalled product can be identified by a plant code of P-1358 and a “best if used by” date between July 14, 2016, and October 10, 2016. Flavors affected include Breaded Cordon Bleu, Breaded Broccoli & Cheese, Breaded Chicken Kiev, Breaded Chicken Parmesan, and Breaded Buffalo-Style.

For more information and frequently asked questions about this recall, please click here. In addition, the Consumer Affairs hotline can be reached at 844 277.6802 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Recalls linked to cluster of Salmonellosis outbreaks
Earlier this month, Maine-based Barber Foods expanded its original recall of July 3, 2015, to include 1.7 million pounds of raw, frozen, stuffed chicken products after the products were linked to a cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses in Minnesota.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Digital Journal reported that Omaha Steaks had recalled some of their raw, frozen, stuffed chicken products, manufactured by Barber foods.

Are we getting better at testing for food safety?
Digital Journal researched the number of recalls of food products for Salmonella enteriditis contamination over the past few years. The USDA/FSIS archives showed that for this year, there have already been four recalls, three of them involving raw chicken products. In 2014, only three recalls involved Salmonella contamination. And in 2013, there was just one recall that involved Salmonella contamination, and that recall was issued on Jan. 24.

There are two ways to look at the figures. One could say the food manufacturing industry is getting sloppy, which is stretching it a bit. Actually, the increase in recalls for Salmonella enteriditis contamination is more likely due to greater transparency in the reporting and testing of our food products. With greater surveillance at the manufacturing level, and at state-run food safety laboratories, the consumer is better protected against foodborne pathogens.

In this article:2 million pounds, aspen foods, raw stuffed chicken products, related to earlier recall, salmonella enteriditis

Written By Karen Graham

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.