Salmonella Food Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Frozen Chicken Products

 Posted on June 10, 2021 in Salmonella

There are multiple types of food products that may become contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or other toxins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors outbreaks of food poisoning. It regularly issues warnings to consumers when contaminated foods cause illnesses and injuries for large numbers of people. Recently, the CDC announced that there has been an outbreak of salmonella infections that may be linked to raw frozen chicken products that were breaded and stuffed.

Details of the Salmonella Outbreak

The CDC reports that as of June 2, 2021, people in six states reported salmonella infections, with the majority of the cases occurring in Illinois. These illnesses were reported between February and May of 2021, but in addition to the reported cases, it is likely that many more infections went unreported. Since it can take two to four weeks to determine whether an illness is related to a food poisoning outbreak, there may be additional infections that have occurred recently.

While the CDC has not yet confirmed a specific source of this outbreak, the majority of the people affected reported that they had prepared and eaten frozen breaded stuffed chicken products. Upon testing, the salmonella strain involved in the outbreak was found in Kirkwood brand chicken cordon bleu products that are sold at Aldi grocery stores. Currently, no recall has been issued for these products.

The CDC has noted that consumers should be aware that raw chicken products need to be fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. By checking carefully to see if a product’s label states that it is raw or uncooked, following the correct cooking instructions, and using a food thermometer to confirm that chicken has been fully cooked, consumers can prevent salmonella infections. When handling raw chicken, a person can also prevent infections by washing their hands thoroughly, cleaning utensils and food preparation surfaces, and ensuring that chicken does not come in contact with other foods. However, if a product’s packaging did not make it clear that chicken was raw, or if the proper instructions for safe cooking were not provided, this can lead to food poisoning that may cause serious illnesses and injuries.

Contact Our Illinois Salmonella Food Poisoning Attorneys

If you or a member of your family have contracted a salmonella infection from a food product, Newland & Newland, LLP can help you determine whether you can pursue compensation from the product’s manufacturer or the retailer who sold the product. We will work with you to ensure that you will be fully compensated for damages such as the costs of medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering. Contact our Illinois food poisoning injury lawyers by calling 312-981-0409 to schedule your free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/enteritidis-06-21/details.html

https://www.eatthis.com/news-aldi-chicken-food-poisoning-june-2021/