The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IOur severity:SevereUSDA FSIS·044-2014·Announced 2014-07-12

Foster Farms Recalls Chicken Products Due to Possible Salmonella Heidelberg Contamination

Foster Farms is recalling fresh and frozen chicken products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Heidelberg. One case of illness has been identified in California.

The agency’s classification

USDA FSIS: Class I

Class I is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The agency classified this recall as Class I — a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. On that classification alone this is scored Severe; a score of Critical is reserved for recalls where a death or serious injury was reported. The agency gives the reason as: "Product Contamination"

Plain-English summary

Foster Farms, a California-based establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of fresh and frozen chicken products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Heidelberg. The recall was requested by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after the product was linked to a specific illness. The affected products include fresh and frozen chicken sold under Foster Farms or private label brand names, as well as frozen Sunland Chicken products. These items bear establishment numbers P6137, P6137A, or P7632 inside the USDA mark of inspection and have specific 'use or freeze by' or 'best by' dates ranging from March 2014 to September 2015.

The products were produced between March 7 and March 13, 2014, and shipped to retailers and distribution centers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. FSIS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified one case-patient in California with an illness onset date of May 5, 2014. This case is part of an ongoing outbreak being monitored by federal agencies.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, which typically results in diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. While most people recover without treatment, severe cases may require hospitalization, particularly among older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems. Consumers should check their freezers for the recalled products and dispose of them if found. FSIS advises consumers to properly handle raw poultry and cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 °F to ensure safety.

The recalled product

Product
California Firm Recalls Chicken Products Due to Possible Salmonella Heidelberg Contamination
Category
Food — Poultry
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed in 11 states:

Related recalls

Same hazard · salmonella

See all →

Similar recalls