If you’ve been following the news recently, you know that it hasn’t been a great season as far as food recalls go. First, there was a nationwide recall on romaine lettuce. After that, there was a recall of more than 200 million eggs for fears of salmonella contamination. Although both of these have since ended, there’s been even more food-related news.
On June 11th, Tyson Food Inc. announced that it was recalling more than 3,000 pounds of its own frozen breaded chicken products.
The official statement was released on the USDA website on June 8th.
Overall, the recall was listed as Class II with a relatively low health risk, though the organization wanted to alert consumers all the same. The statement on the site explained the situation more fully:
“Tyson Foods Inc., a North Little Rock, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,120 pounds of frozen breaded chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue and clear soft plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.”
More specifically, the product in question were the three-pound plastic bags of “uncooked, breaded, original chicken tenderloins.”
While both Tyson and other governing bodies acted quickly in pulling this product off the market, there was still concern that some packages may have reached stores.
Once again, more specific information was given on the USDA’s website:
“The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-746” on the product package. These items were shipped to food services establishments, nationwide. The affected products are not available for purchase in retail stores.”
If you have any of Tyson’s frozen chicken products in your fridge, be sure to check for the establishment number on the bottom!
Those who have purchased these products in the past few days, any package bearing the number P-746 is likely not safe to eat and should be avoided. For their part, however, the USDA says that the cause for alarm is relatively low:
“There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.”
Although the contaminated packages were said to only have small pieces of plastic in the breading, consumers are still advised to stay vigilant.
While this recall is not nearly as dangerous as recent E. coli and salmonella-related outbreaks, ingesting pieces of plastic is still not good for anyone and could result in health complications. For their part, representatives from Tyson Foods Inc. have requested that any consumers with specific questions about the recall reach out to them at (888) 747-7611.
Anyone who has accidentally eaten one of these packages and is experiencing negative health effects should seek medical help right away.
While this story is not as severe as some recent food recall stories were, it’s a good reminder to pay attention to where our food comes from.
As many of us probably know, many of America’s most-consumed foods are heavily processed at all stages before it reaches the grocery store shelves. Because there are so many variables involved, there are many chances along the supply chain for mistakes to be made that can affect our health. For these reasons and others, it’s important to stay well informed and to shop locally whenever possible. After all, knowing exactly where your food is coming from can be the best prevention against any possible health problems.
Let your friends know about the recall and stay tuned for any updates!
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