Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 7/16/15

Text of StoryBy Lisa M. Keefe on 7/16/2015

Aspen Foods, A Division of Chicago-based Koch Poultry Company, is recalling about 1,978,680 pounds of frozen, raw, stuffed and breaded chicken product that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced early this morning.

The frozen, raw, stuffed and breaded chicken items were produced between April 15, 2015 and July 10, 2015 with “best if used by” dates between July 14, 2016 and October 10, 2016.

The product subject to recall bears the establishment number “P-1358” inside the USDA mark of inspection. This product was shipped to retail stores and food service locations nationwide.

FSIS was notified of a cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses on June 23, 2015. Working in conjunction with Minnesota State Departments of Health and Agriculture, FSIS determined that there is a link between the frozen, raw, stuffed and breaded chicken products from Aspen Foods and this illness cluster.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be in consumers' freezers.

In a statement on its website, Koch Foods said, "We are taking this precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our consumers. If you have purchased any of the affected items, please return them to the store where you purchased them for a full refund.

No other products prepared by Koch Foods Inc., are affected by this issue."

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