Chicken, cilantro recalls underway: Are you at risk?
(CBS/AP) Two food recalls are underway amid concerns the foods carry potentially deadly, disease-causing bacteria.
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The FDA said Friday that Pacific Cilantro of Salinas, Calif., is voluntarily recalling more than 6,000 cartons of cilantro that were shipped to California, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, South Carolina and Missouri. An FDA test found salmonella in a sample of the herbs, also known as coriander. The cilantro was grown by Salt River Farming in the Phoenix-area.
No illnesses have been reported. The recall is considered precautionary.
Each bunch has "Pacific" on the twist tie and the UPC code 33383 80104. Pictures of the cilantro labels and barcodes can be found here.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience fever, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, Salmonella infection can get into the bloodstream, resulting in more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
Consumers who have purchased the cilantro are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, the FDA said. Customers can also contact Pacific International Marketing at 831-755-1398.
The USDA also announced Friday that North Carolina-based Raeford Farms is recalling more than 4,100 pounds of cooked chicken breasts over possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled chicken breasts are marked "P-239A" inside the USDA mark of inspection, along with a product code of "94268" and a package date of "1270" (Sept. 27, 2011). The products were shipped to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The problem was discovered after a customer's sample tested positive, but no illnesses have been reported, the USDA said.
Healthy people rarely get the Listeria infection, known as listeriosis, but older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems face a great risk. Symptoms can take up to two months to develop, and include diarrhea, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
A Listeria outbreak this year that sickened 146 and killed 30 that was linked to cantaloupes was declared over Thursday, CBS News reported.
