Whole Foods Market Recalls Curry Chicken Salad Products (Listeria Adulteration)

A Whole Foods Market establishment located in Everett, Mass. is recalling approximately 234 pounds of curry chicken salad products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The chicken curry salad was packaged on Oct. 16, 2015, and was sold prepackaged, in salad bars, in store's chef's cases, and in sandwiches and wraps prepared in the stores. The following products are subject to recall: [Labels]

• Sold by weight “Curry Chicken Salad, Our Chef’s Own” bearing UPC Code # 285551.
• Sold by weight “Curry Chicken Salad CC” bearing UPC Code # 261068.
• Sold by weight “PPK Salad Chicken Curry” bearing UPC Code # 263142
• 12 oz. “Curry Chicken Salad Wrap, Made Right Here” bearing UPC Code # 263144.
• 7 oz. “Single Curry Chicken Salad Wrap, Made Right Here” bearing UPC Code # 263126.
• 7 oz. “Curry Chicken Salad Rollup” bearing UPC Code # 265325.

These items have a sell by date of Oct. 23, 2015 and were shipped to a warehouse and retail locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.                                 

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified of sample testing results performed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Consumption of food adulterated by L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating adulterated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the adulterated food.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be at home in consumers' freezers or refrigerators.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.       

FSIS advises all consumers to reheat ready-to-eat product until steaming hot.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Heather McCready, Public Relations Manager, at (617) 492-5500.