New Jersey Firm Recalls Breaded Chicken Product For Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, August 27, 2014 TNUVA USA, a Fairfield, N.J., establishment is recalling approximately 8,316 pounds of Mom's Chicken Extra Thin Cutlets product due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes ( Lm ), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product was produced on August 18, 2013, and shipped to the company's distributor in New Jersey. FSIS will post complete store locations as the list becomes available on its website at www.fsis.usda.gov . The following product is subject to recall: [ View Labels (PDF Only)] 28.8-oz. (1.8 lb.) bags containing iMOM'S CHICKEN EXTRA THIN CUTLETS, THIN-CUT BREADED CUTLET SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST PATTIES.” Bags bear the Israeli establishment number i209” within the Israeli mark of inspection. The product's expiration date is February 18, 2015, and bears the following UPC number on the packaging: 843426005866. The problem was discovered when FSIS personnel conducted a routine sampling of product which tested positive for Lm . FSIS held the product and it did not enter commerce. Further investigation by FSIS determined that other products were produced on the same line without clean up between products. FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food. 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. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls . Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Customer Service at 1-844- GOTNUVA (1-844-468-6882). 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 .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. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem . PREPARING PRODUCT FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat and poultry for at least 20 seconds. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills. Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna or other deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot. Do not eat refrigerated pate, meat spreads from a meat counter or smoked seafood found in the refrigerated section of the store. Foods that do not need refrigeration, like canned tuna and canned salmon, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening. Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them. Do not eat salads made in the store, such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad. Do not eat soft cheeses, such as Feta, quesco blanco, quesco fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses and Panela, unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk. Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can. L. monocytogenes can grow in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40º F or cooler and the freezer 0º F or colder. Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator.