Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. Recalls Chicken Products Due To Possible E. Coli O121 Contamination

Product Contamination

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2016 Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc., a Van Buren, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,850 pounds of frozen, heat treated, not ready-to-eat (NRTE) chicken products that may be contaminated with E. coli O121, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The frozen, heat treated, not ready-to-eat (NRTE) chicken tenderloin items were produced on Jan. 25, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [ View Labels (PDF Only)] 30-lb. net-weight case containing six, 5-lb. bags in clear film of Simmons UNCOOKED CHICKEN TENDERLOIN FRITTERS, with a case code 31473, packaging date code of 6025, and a Use-By date of 01/25/17. 30-lb. net-weight case containing six, 5-lb. bags in clear film of Simmons UNCOOKED CHICKEN BREAST TENDERLOIN FRITTERS, with a case code 62331 and a packaging date of 6025. The products subject to recall bear establishment number P-5837 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were distributed to Arkansas for institutional use. The problem was discovered on July 7, 2016, when Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. received notice from a supplier that flour sold to the establishment was recalled by General Mills. The firm used the recalled flour to bread the chicken fritters affected by this recall action. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or illnesses due to consumption of these Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. products. Information on the General Mills recall can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm509693.htm . Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), such as STEC O121 because it is harder to identify than STEC O157. People can become ill from STECs 28 days (average of 34 days) after consuming the organism. Most people infected with STEC O121 develop diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but, rarely, some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is uncommon with STEC O121 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. 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 with questions regarding the recall can contact Donny Epp, Director of Communications, at (479) 215-2626 and Kimmie Provost, Executive Assistant and Corporate Affairs Coordinator, at (479) 215-2507. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Vicky Goodman, Customer Service Manager, at (479) 215-2296. 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 10 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 for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills. Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods. Color is NOT a reliable indicator that meat has been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria. The only way to be sure the meat or poultry is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature. - Fish: 145¯F - Beef, pork, lamb chops/steaks/roasts: 145¯F with a three minute rest time - Ground meat: 160¯F - Poultry: 165¯F - Hot dogs: 160¯F or steaming hot Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90ß F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.