(RxWiki News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a Salmonella outbreak that may be tied to frozen stuffed chicken products.
At publication time, 17 people in six states had become sick with the Salmonella strain identified in the outbreak. Eight of those people had been hospitalized.
The CDC said it was not recommending that people avoid eating these products. The agency did, however, say that consumers should take care to handle and cook these products properly.
The CDC was aware of cases of Salmonella Enteritidis in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and New York. Many of those who had become ill had consumed raw, frozen, breaded, stuffed chicken products from various brands, the agency said.
The products in question are raw but may not look raw because they might have been browned or breaded before being sold in grocery stores.
Diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever are the most common symptoms of Salmonella. Most people develop symptoms anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure. While most people recover without treatment in four to seven days, Salmonella can be life-threatening for young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
The CDC recommended the following steps to avoid Salmonella exposure from frozen chicken products:
- Look for words like "Uncooked" or "Raw" on product packaging even if the product looks cooked.
- Never cook frozen raw chicken in a microwave or air fryer. These devices may not cook these products thoroughly enough to make them safe to eat.
- Cook frozen chicken in an oven to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the internal temperature with a food thermometer at the center of the thickest part of the chicken.
- Closely follow the cooking instructions for each product.
- Wash your hands, cooking utensils and preparation surfaces with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling the chicken.
If you believe you have Salmonella and your symptoms are serious or not improving, contact your health care provider.
