USDA recalls 31,689lb of gluten free chicken

Pennsylvania-based Murry’s has recalled 31,689lb of chicken after the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a high risk recall over fears of staphylococcal enterotoxin contamination.

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a gastrointestinal illness and is caused by eating foods contaminated with toxin-producing staphylococcus aureus. It is a common bacterium found on the skin and noses of healthy people and animals that can produce about seven different toxins, leading to food poisoning.

The products being recalled are the 12oz boxes of Bell and Evans Gluten Free Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets and the 10.5oz boxes of Bell and Evans Gluten Free Breaded Chicken Breast and have a best before date of 9 August 2015.

These products have the establishment number P-516 inside the USDA mark of inspection and had been shipped to retail stores across the nation.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture discovered the problem with the products during a retail surveillance and sampling programme funded by the USDA at a Federal Emergency Response Network lab. FSIS conducted traceback activities after being informed about the positive test results.

Staphylococcal enterotoxins are fast acting and can cause illness in 30 minutes. However, symptoms usually develop within one to six hours after the consumption of contaminated food. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea. The illness is not considered to be severe and patients can recover after one to three days.

In a statement FSIS oultined the precautions needed to avoid the illness, it said: "To prevent staphylococcal contamination, keep kitchens and food-serving areas clean and sanitised. Keep hot foods hot (over 140°F) and cold foods cold (40°F or under). Make sure to wash hands and under fingernails vigorously with soap and water before handling and preparing food. Do not prepare food if you have an open sore or wound on your hands or if you have a nose or eye infection."

While FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, the department has asked anyone concerned about a reaction to contact a healthcare provider.

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Image: The Bell and Evans gluten free chicken products have been recalled for fear of staphylococcal enterotoxin contamination. Photo: courtesy of FSIS.