Urge to stop consumption of contaminated food products

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (February 22) appealed to retailers and the public to stop selling or consuming a batch of chicken breast strips product manufactured by Carolina Culinary Foods, owing to suspected contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

According to the authorities of the United States, the company concerned has recalled the affected product. Details of the food product are as follows: -

Chicken BreastStrips Product Establishment Number "Use by" date
Oscar Mayer/ Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat, Grilled, Fully Cooked– Ready to Eat (6-ounce package) P-19676 19 Apr 2007


Symptoms after exposure to Listeria monocytogenes may include fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhea but healthy individuals rarely develop symptoms. The effect on pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with lowered immunity, however, could be severe, which may include miscarriage and meningitis.

"The CFS has contacted the US authorities for further details. In liaising with the trade and follow-up inspections, the Centre found that the food product was on sale but the affected batch was not found in the local market. The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and take actions as necessary," a CFS spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, February 22, 2007