4,141 pounds of ready-to-eat chickens are being recalled by House of Raeford Farms, from North Carolina, because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. A sample was submitted by an end user to a reputable laboratory and found to be tainted, the company and the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) inform.

Below are details regarding this recall:

  • Name – House of Raeford – Royal Oven Roasted Skinless Chicken Breast
  • Packaging – packed in cases weighing from 18 to 22 pounds. Each case contains two packages weighing from 9 to 11 pounds each
  • Locations – they were distributed to foodservice distribution centers in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina

  • Item code 94268
  • Code date – 1270 (27 Sep 11)

The recalled chicken products were produced at the company’s processing plant in Raeford, North Carolina. They all have the USDA Inspection number P-239A

Both House of Raeford Farms and the USDA say no reports have been received regarding illnesses linked to the consumption of the recalled chicken.

If you require more information regarding this recall, the company has made the following contact details available:
Telephone: 910-289-6895. Dave Witter, Manager of Corporate Communications.

Food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can give rise to an illness, known as listeriosis. Pregnant females are much more susceptible to infection than other humans. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, she has a higher risk of delivering her baby early, the newborn baby has a risk of infection, and there is also a risk of death for the newborn.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says that listeriosis is a public health problem in America.

Invasive listeriosis – a serious medical condition – is more likely to occur in patients with weakened immune systems. Patients have to be hospitalized, where the infection is treated with antibiotics. Approximately 35% of patients with invasive listeriosis do not survive, because of complications.

Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes. Electron micrograph scan

Written by Christian Nordqvist