July 9, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Washoe County Health District is asking residents and food service establishments in Washoe County to be aware of a recent frozen cooked chicken recall due to risk of Listeria, a bacteria that causes Listeriosis that can be fatal.
Tyson Foods Inc. voluntarily recalled nearly 9 million pounds of its ready-to-eat chicken that is frozen and fully cooked on Saturday, July 3, 2021. The recall was updated yesterday, July 8, from 8,492,832 pounds of chicken to 8,955,296 pounds.
The recalled products were produced between Dec. 26, 2020 and April 13, 2021. To view the recalled products, go here. To see the labels, go here. In all, three listeriosis illnesses and one death were linked between April 6, 2021 and June 5, 2021.
If someone has this product in their freezer, whether it is a resident or a food establishment, they are urged to discard the item(s).
The product was sent to a distribution center in Washoe County that supplies food to grocery stores and restaurants. Walmart has confirmed that the product was in their stores, as has Target.
As of now there are no confirmed Listeria cases from this product in Washoe County, but the Health District is urging caution, nonetheless.
“We want to make sure residents and businesses are aware of the recall because it was released during a busy holiday weekend,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “Listeria is a harmful bacteria, especially for pregnant women, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), staff were notified on June 9 that two persons were ill with listeriosis. FSIS worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and determined there was evidence linking Listeria to the precooked chicken produced at Tyson Foods Inc.
According to the CDC, Listeria outbreaks are often found in dairy products, produce, soft cheeses, celery, sprouts, cantaloupe, deli meats, hot dogs and ice cream. Those most at risk are pregnant women, people over 65 and those with compromised immunity.
Listeria Prevention
The CDC lists out several foods that are more likely to contain Listeria and how you can take steps to protect your health. Learn more here.
The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.