A Massive Recall of Frozen Chicken Products Has Just Been Announced

You may want to reconsider what you’re going to cook for dinner tonight. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), nearly 60,000 pounds of frozen chicken products have been recalled across the country due to salmonella contamination. Serenade Foods, an Indiana-based food processing company, has recalled exactly 59,251 pounds of frozen, raw, breaded, and pre-browned stuffed chicken products. The recall includes a total of five different products that are sold under three different brands: Dutch Farms, Milford Valley, and Kirkwood. They can be found at ALDI, among other grocery stores. "Unopened intact packages of raw, frozen, breaded chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese were collected from an ill person’s home and tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis," according to an announcement released by the USDA.

The recall includes the following five products:

• 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Dutch Farms Chicken with Broccoli & Cheese” with lot code BR 1055 and a best if used by date of February 24, 2023
• 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Milford Valley Chicken With Broccoli & Cheese” with lot code BR 1055 and a best if used by date of February 24, 2023
• 10-oz box of two individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Milford Valley Chicken Cordon Bleu” with lot code CB 1055 and a best if used by date of February 24, 2023
• 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Kirkwood Raw Stuffed Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese” with lot code BR 1055 and a best if used by date of February 24, 2023
• 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Kirkwood Raw Stuffed Chicken Cordon Bleu” with lot code CB 1056 and a best if used by date of February 25, 2023

These particular frozen chicken products should be thrown away, but any other chicken products should always be thoroughly cooked before consuming, as they are packaged completely raw. Poultry should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165℉ to kill off any harmful bacteria. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the thickest part of the meat is thoroughly cooked through.

So far, 17 people have been infected with salmonella after consuming the chicken products and eight have been hospitalized across six different states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Salmonella infection can occur within 12 to 72 hours and may last four to seven days. The most common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, headaches, fever, and stomach cramps. Consult with a medical professional if you believe you may have salmonella poisoning, or if your symptoms last for more than one week.

Consumers who have purchased any of these frozen chicken products should not consume them and instead, dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Were you impacted by the latest frozen chicken recall? Share your experience in the comments below!