Yesterday, the CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) announced a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products. As of June 2, 2021, a total of 17 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 6 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 21, 2021 to May 7, 2021.

Sounds a bit familiar?  Why does the USDA-FSIS ignore this risky product?

2018 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Linked to Frozen Breaded Chicken Products Distributed Ruby’s Pantry Pop-Up Locations

States:  Minnesota, Wisconsin

Cases:  13

Hospitalizations:  8

Deaths:  0

REFS:

2018_Rubys_MN_DOH_June_1,_2018.pdf (outbreakdatabase.com)

2018_Rubys_WI_DHS_June_1,_2018.pdf (outbreakdatabase.com)

2015 Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Linked to Raw, Frozen Chicken Entrees Produced by Aspen Foods

States:  Minnesota

Cases:  5

Hospitalizations:  2

Deaths:  0

REF:

2015_Aspen_Foods_CDC_Final_Update,_Oct._16,_2015_.pdf (outbreakdatabase.com)

2015 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Linked to Barber Foods Chicken Kiev

States:  Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Wisconsin

Cases:  15

Hospitalizations:  4

Deaths:  0

REF: 2015_Barber_Foods,_CDC_FInal_Update_Oct._16,_2015_.pdf (outbreakdatabase.com)

2014 Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Linked to Antioch Farms “A La Live” Stuffed Chicken Breast

State:  Minnesota

Cases:  8

Hospitalizations:  1

Deaths:  0

REF:

2014_Antioch_Farms_MDA_announcement.pdf (outbreakdatabase.com)

2014_Antioch_Farms,_MDH.pdf (outbreakdatabase.com)

2012-2013 Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections Linked to Farm Rich Brand Frozen Mini Meals and Snack Items

States:  Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

Cases:  19

Hospitalizations:  9

Deaths:  0

REF:  Farm_Rich_Outbreak-CDC_Final_Summary.pdf (outbreakdatabase.com)

2010 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Chester Infections Linked to Marie Callender’s Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Entrees

States:  Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington

Cases:  44

Hospitalizations:  16

Deaths:  0

REFS:  CDC – Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Chester Infections – September 9, 2010 – Salmonella

2006 Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Cub Brand Frozen, Stuffed Chicken Entrees

State:  Minnesota

Cases:  3

Hospitalizations:  2

Deaths:  0

REF:  Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 71, No. 10, 2008, Pages 2153–2160

2005 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Linked to Frozen, Stuffed Chicken Entrees Distributed by Serenade Foods and Aspen Foods

States:  Michigan, Minnesota

Cases:  27

Hospitalizations:  3

Deaths:  0

REF:  Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 71, No. 10, 2008, Pages 2153–2160

2005 Outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg Infections Associated with Cub Brand Chicken Broccoli and Cheese Frozen Entrée

State: Minnesota

Cases:  4

Hospitalizations:  1

Deaths:  0

REF:  Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 71, No. 10, 2008, Pages 2153–2160

1998 Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Chicken Kiev

State:  Minnesota

Cases:  33

Hospitalizations:  3

Deaths:  0

REF:  Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 71, No. 10, 2008, Pages 2153–2160

INTERNATIONAL OUTBREAKS

1998 Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Chicken Nuggets, Australia

State:  South Australia

Cases:  10

Hospitalizations:  unk

Deaths:  unk

REF:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10330731

2003 Outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg Infections Linked to Frozen Chicken Nuggets, Canada

Province:  British Columbia

Cases:  23

Hospitalizations:  10

Deaths:  0

REF:  MacDougall, L., M. Fyfe, L. McIntyre, A. Paccagnella, K. Cordner, A. Kerr, & J. Aramini, (2004). Frozen chicken nuggets and strips – a newly identified risk factor for Salmonella Heidelberg infection in British Columbia, Canada. Journal of Food Protection: 67 (6) 1111-1115.