NOT COOKED SO GOOD CHICKEN?

Maryland Firm Recalls Fresh, Raw Chicken Products Due To Possible Processing Flaw

Perdue Food LLC, a Salisbury, MD establishment, is recalling approximately 720 pounds of raw, fresh chicken products because they may have experienced a processing deviation in temperature during production, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently announced.

The products subject to the recall include:

80-lb. cardboard boxes, containing approximately 28, 2.5-lb. ice-packed, sealed packages of “COOKIN’ GOOD WHOLE YOUNG CHICKENS” with giblets and necks.

The products were produced Sept. 3, 2014 and then shipped to a New York distributor for re-sale and foodservice use in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The packages bear the establishment number “P-764” on the box.

The company discovered the problem when a plant employee checking whole bird temperatures noticed variations in the product. Upon further investigation it was found that a plant worker turned the wrong water valve, using potable water instead of chill water in the system’s chiller. The company notified FSIS of the incident. Product found in the firm’s warehouse was destroyed. However nine cases inadvertently shipped into commerce.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Perdue Consumer Affairs at 800-4Perdue (800-473-7383). Media with questions about the recall may contact Joe Forsthoffer at (410) 341- 2556.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. “Ask Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.