Simmons Prepared Foods product recalled over E. coli risk

Recall date

July 12, 2016

Source

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA FSIS)

Official notice title

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

Recall number

058-2016

FDA classification

Class I

Brand / firm

Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc.

Why it was recalled

Product Contamination

Class I is the FDA’s most serious recall level: there is a reasonable probability that using this product will cause serious harm or death.

What was recalled

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 stoo…