Chicken recall due to potential listeria contamination nationwide

Al-Safa US, a Canadian company, has issued a recall for imported frozen ready-to-eat chicken products due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Friday.

The recalled items, used for kebab meals, were produced in Canada on June 5 and imported into the United States on June 13 and June 21. The specific products subject to the recall include:

• 12.1-oz. cardboard box packages of “Al Safa Halal Charcoal Grilled Chicken Seekh Kebab Grilled, Minced, Chicken Patty Kebab” with “NOV 30 25” and “0605404” printed on the outside sticker.
• 14.11-oz. cardboard box packages of “Al Safa Halal Fully Cooked Chicken Chapli Kebab Seasoned Chicken Patty” with “NOV 30 25” and “0605416” printed on the outside sticker.

These products bear establishment number “866” inside the Canadian mark of inspection and were distributed to retail locations nationwide.

Listeria symptoms

Listeria infection can cause short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, stiffness, and gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea, in healthy individuals. However, it poses a higher risk to children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems, potentially leading to severe and sometimes fatal complications. Pregnant women are also at risk, as the infection can result in miscarriages or stillbirths.

FSIS expressed concern that some of these products may still be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers are advised not to eat these products and to either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming these products should contact a health care provider immediately.