March 5, 2008

US companies recall chicken product due to listeria concerns  
 

Close to 20,000 pounds of frozen chicken entrees have been recalled as they may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Michigan-based Meijer Distribution Centre, Washington-based Costco Wholesale, and New York-based Gourmet Boutique, are voluntarily recalling the products, according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The problem was detected through FSIS microbiological sampling.

Meijer would be recalling about 2,184 pounds of frozen chicken entrees, while Costco and Gourmet Boutique would be recalling 10,368 pounds and 6,970 pounds of the same product respectively.

The chicken product in question is 12-ounce packages of " Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice."

Listeria is a rare but deadly food-borne infection that has a mortality rate of 25 percent, but FSIS has so far received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the product.