Tyson Recalls 8.5 Million Chickens Over Listeria Fears

At present, Tyson Foods is recalling approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen chicken products for possible listeria contamination. Together with the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Tyson announced the recall Saturday night. 

RELATED: Whole Foods Issues Voluntary Recall for Select Macaroni & Cheese Products Due to Undeclared Egg

Tyson Announces Recall Of Chicken Products

The recall over listeria contamination covers both Tyson-branded products and private label products for restaurants. The private-label brands include products such as Jet’s Pizza, Casey’s General Store, Marco’s Pizza, and Little Caesars.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a food safety alert saying the products might have links to a listeria outbreak that already claimed a life and made three others sick. Tyson shipped the products nationwide to retailers, restaurants, and public institutions. This includes hospitals, nursing facilities, and schools.  

Abundance of Caution

Scott Brooks, Tyson Foods senior vice president, food safety and quality assurance, issued a news release earlier. He said that “We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety.” 

Tyson Foods managed to isolate the source of the possibly contaminated products, They traced it to a plant in Dexter, Missouri. The manufacturing date of the affected products occurred from December 26 to April 13. The USDA said the agency will post a list of retailers that sold the products.     

Look For Product Code P-7089

In addition, the company also said that it continues to cooperate with the USDA on the recall process. “While there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated at the time of shipment, the voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution,” the Tyson release added. 

Consumers should check their purchases for the establishment code P-7089, which corresponds to the Dexter plant. If by chance they already bought the products, customers should either throw them away uneaten or return them to the store. “No other Tyson products are impacted by the recall, including but not limited to any Tyson brand fresh chicken; frozen, raw chicken products or chicken nuggets,” the company said.

What is Listeria?

According to the CDC, three people who fell sick with listeria ate foods served at a long-term care facility or hospital between April 6 and June 5. Two of the illnesses happened in Texas, while the remaining illness happened in Delaware. The CDC advised that “When two or more people get “the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, the event is called a foodborne disease outbreak.”

According to the CDC, Listeria can lead to common food poisoning symptoms, such as diarrhea and fever. It's commonly caused by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.

However, listeria can also cause invasive listeriosis, which is what happens when the bacteria spread outside the gut. Symptoms of a severe illness usually start one to four weeks after ingesting the bacteria, but it can also start 10 weeks later. Adults 65 or older, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are more prone to serious Listeria symptoms.

Call or Text 1-855-382-3101

Even though Tyson and the USDA had yet to issue the list of retailers, they posted a full product list on the USDA website and Tysonfoods.com. In addition, consumers can ask about the recall over the phone or text at 1-855-382-3101.

Tyson said that customer service representatives will remain available beginning Sunday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm CDT. For a full list of products affected by the recall, please visit this USDA link.

Watch the KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas video reporting that Tyson Foods is recalling 8.5 million pounds of chicken:

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