Barber Foods issues second recall in a month over fears of salmonella contamination

Barber Foods, based in Maine, US, has recalled 1,707,494lb of chicken over a possible salmonella contamination, its second recall in under a month.

The scope of the recall includes frozen and raw stuffed chicken products that were produced by the company between 17 February and 20 May.

Chicken breast stuffed with broccoli and cheese, asparagus and cheese, ham and cheese, chicken fingers, chicken kiev, and cordon bleu will be included in the recall.

The current recall is an extension of an earlier recall dated 2 July, when the company had to remove 58,320lb of frozen and raw stuffed chicken items produced on 29 January, 20 February, and 23 April.

This recall was extended after patients from Wisconsin and Minnesota showed signs of illness caused by salmonella.

Announcing the recall, the US Department of Agriculture said in a statement: "The Food Safety and Inspection Service and the company are concerned that some products may be in consumers’ freezers.

"Although the products subject to recall may appear to be cooked, these products are in fact uncooked (raw), and should be handled carefully to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen.

"Particular attention needs to be paid to safely prepare and cook these raw poultry products to a temperature of 165°F, checking at the centre, the thickest part, and the surface of the product."

Salmonella is said to affect close to one million people across the US annually, with the bacteria causing with diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.