Bacteria Scare Results In Frozen Chicken Recall

Grand Rapids, MI (AHN) - A total of 2,184 pounds of frozen chicken product were recalled from four states after sample testing revealed that the chicken was possibly contaminated with bacteria known as listeria, known to bring about illness and even death.

The recall was made by Meijer Inc., for the product Discovery Cuisine Red Curry Chicken and Jasmine Rice, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that listeria is possibly in the product. The product was reportedly distributed in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

The more than 2,000-pound, however, might bring about inaccurate impressions from consumers, said Frank Giglielmi of Meijer, as a minimal 21 packages of the contaminated chicken were sold in all four states.

"Only nine were in Michigan and only 5 were sold in Southeastern Michigan," said Guglielmi, as quoted by the Free Press. "We pulled everything on Friday."

Meijer, a Canadian company, said that they volunteered to recall the product, despite the limited number of contaminated packages, and despite the fact that according to USDA spokeswoman Peggy Riek, no illnesses have recently been reported.

The Grand Rapids Press said that although listeria can not automatically kill an individual, those who are either very young, or very old, are the most at risk, and are the ones with which death might be a possibility.

The same case is true for those with weak immune systems. Customers are told to return the product, which bears the Canadian establishment number Est. 302, and a "best by" date of 12-08-08, to any Meijer store for either a refund or an exchange.