2015 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw, Frozen, Stuffed Chicken Entrees Produced by Barber Foods – Consumer Advice

Multistate Outbreak of Drug-Resistant Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Linked to Raw, Frozen, Stuffed Chicken Entrees Produced by Barber Foods

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This outbreak appears to be over. However, the recalled frozen chicken products have a long shelf life and may still be in people’s freezers. Consumers unaware of the recall could continue to eat the products and potentially get sick. Read the Advice to Consumers.

This outbreak was not connected with an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to raw, frozen, stuffed chicken entrees produced by Aspen Foods and sold under many different brands.

Advice to Consumers

  • Several brands of frozen, raw chicken products have been recalled:
    • Barber Foods
    • Loblaws
    • Meijer
    • Omaha Steaks
    • Sysco
    • Western Family
  • Consumers should check their freezers for any of the recalled frozen, raw chicken products and should not eat them.
  • How consumers can identify recalled products:
    • Products subject to recall bear one of two establishment numbers on the packaging: “P-276” or “P-4230A.”
    • Read the list of recalled Barber Foods, Meijer, and Sysco products.
    • Read the list of recalled Omaha Steaks products.
    • Products were shipped to retail locations nationwide and Canada, and some were available for purchase online.
  • Consumers should return recalled products to the place of purchase or contact Barber Foods at (844) 564-5555 or Omaha Steaks at (877) 789-7117.
  • Consumers who buy raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken products, regardless of brand, should always handle them safely to prevent foodborne illness:
    • Read the package carefully. Look for words like “Raw” or “Uncooked” to determine if the product is raw.
      • The product may not look raw. It may appear to be pre-cooked because it may be breaded and browned.
    • Follow cooking instructions exactly as they are written on the package.
    • Use a food thermometer to check that the product has reached an internal temperature of 165° F, checking at the center, the thickest part, and the surface of the product.
      • Color is NOT a reliable indicator that poultry has been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria.
    • Clean and disinfect any surfaces and utensils that touched the raw product, including the product packaging or any breading that falls off.
    • Wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling the raw product.
    • Keep raw poultry away from other food that will not be cooked before eating.

Advice to Retailers and Restaurants

  • Several brands of frozen, raw chicken products have been recalled:
    • Barber Foods
    • Loblaws
    • Meijer
    • Omaha Steaks
    • Sysco
    • Western Family
  • Retailers and restaurants should check their freezers for any of the recalled frozen, raw chicken products.
  • How retailers and restaurants can identify recalled products:
    • Products subject to recall bear one of two establishment numbers on the packaging: “P-276” or “P-4230A.”
    • Read the list of recalled Barber Foods, Meijer, and Sysco products.
    • Read the list of recalled Omaha Steaks products.
    • Products were shipped to retail locations nationwide and Canada, and some were available for purchase online.
  • Restaurants that buy and serve raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken products, regardless of brand, should always handle them safely to prevent foodborne illness:
    • Read the package carefully. Look for words like “Raw” or “Uncooked” to determine if the product is raw.
      • The product may not look raw. It may appear to be pre-cooked because it may be breaded and browned.
    • Follow cooking instructions exactly as they are written on the package.
    • Use a food thermometer to check that the product has reached an internal temperature of 165° F, checking at the center, the thickest part, and the surface of the product.
      • Color is NOT a reliable indicator that poultry has been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria.
    • Clean and disinfect any surfaces and utensils that touched the raw product, including the product packaging or any breading that falls off.
    • Wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling the raw product.
    • Keep raw poultry away from other food that will not be cooked.

 Read the full Outbreak Investigation