The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a critical public health alert concerning ready-to-eat (RTE) salads and wraps containing meat and poultry. There is reason to believe that these products might contain contaminated lettuce, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has been potentially exposed to deer feces. The FSIS is taking immediate action to inform consumers and ensure their safety by urging them not to consume these products.
Product Details:
The RTE salad and wrap products in question were produced on August 1, 2023, and August 2, 2023. The following items are subject to the public health alert:
– 8.65-oz. plastic film packages containing “Chicken Caesar Wrap FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot codes 21323 and 21423 and Sell by dates of 8/9/2023 and 8/10/2023.
– 7.2-oz. plastic film packages containing “Chicken Caesar Wrap FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot code 21323 and Fresh Thru date of 8/10/2023.
– 8.5-oz. plastic clam shell packages containing “Chicken Caesar Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot code 21323 and Fresh Thru date of 8/9/2023.
– 8.55-oz. plastic clam shell packages containing “Chef Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot codes 21323 and 21423 and Sell by dates of 8/9/2023 and 8/10/2023.
– 5.85-oz. plastic clam shell packages containing “Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot codes 21323 and 21423 and Sell by dates of 8/9/2023 and 8/10/2023.
The packaging of these products bears the establishment number “P-45091” or “Est. 45091” on the front label. The affected items were distributed to retail locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Discovery and Action:
The issue came to light when an FSIS-regulated establishment reported that its supplier of FDA-regulated lettuce had initiated a recall due to potential contamination with deer feces. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from consuming these products. However, consumers are advised to exercise caution and take appropriate measures.
Concerned Consumers:
While no adverse reactions have been confirmed, individuals who are concerned about potential injuries or illnesses should contact a healthcare provider.
Contact Information:
For media inquiries and consumer questions regarding this public health alert, please contact Jill Teut, Senior Director of Communications, Taher, Inc., at (952) 345-2873 or communications@taher.com.
For food safety-related inquiries and concerns, consumers can reach out to the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or utilize the live chat service via Ask USDA, available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Additional food safety information can be found at Ask USDA or by emailing MPHotline@usda.gov. To report problems with meat, poultry, or egg products, consumers can access the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/ at any time.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of consumers is a top priority for both the FSIS and the FDA.