Tyson Foods voluntarily recalls approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken. The product is being recalled as a precaution due to possible exposure to Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria.
Tyson has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on this recall. According to the company, while there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated at the time of shipment, the voluntary recall is initiated out of an abundance of caution.
The affected products were produced at one plant located in Dexter, Missouri, between December 26 of 2020 and April 13 of 2021 and distributed to foodservice and retail customers nationwide and in Puerto Rico.
Among the major stores that are recalling chicken items due to the recall initiated by Tyson Foods are Albertsons, Walmart, Publix, H-E-B, and Wegmans.
“We’re committed to providing safe, healthy food that people rely on every day,” said Scott Brooks, senior vice president, food safety and quality assurance, Tyson Foods. “We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety.”
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) stated that on June 9, 2021, FSIS was notified of two persons ill with listeriosis. In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners, FSIS determined evidence linking the Listeria monocytogenes illnesses to pre-cooked chicken produced at Tyson Foods Inc.
The epidemiologic investigation identified three listeriosis illnesses, including one death, between April 6, 2021, and June 5, 2021. During routine sample collection, FSIS collected two pre-cooked chicken samples from two establishments that are closely related genetically to Listeria monocytogenes from ill people. One of the samples was collected at Tyson Foods Inc.
FSIS is continuing to work with federal and state public health partners to determine additional illnesses linked to these products.
The recall includes Tyson branded frozen, fully cooked products and private label products made for customers.
These products were sold to food service and retail customers and distributed nationwide. Each package of the affected retail products has the establishment code P-7089.
A list of product labels for the impacted retail products is available for download, and a comprehensive list of all retail and foodservice products can be found here.
The recall impacts no other Tyson products, said the company, including but not limited to any Tyson brand fresh chicken, frozen, raw chicken products, or chicken nuggets.
A list of retail stores that received the product will eventually be posted on USDA’s website. Use the following link to locate the “retail distribution list” https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls