Oscar Mayer chicken strips test positive for listeria germ

A store sample of packaged Oscar Mayer Ready to Eat Chicken Breast Strips With Rib Meat has been found to contain Listeria monocytogenes, according to an announcement made by Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin. Georgia Department of Agriculture food scientists found the contamination late last week.

The contamination was found in a six-ounce packaged sample marked as Grilled Fully Cooked and Ready to Eat with a code USE BY 19 APR 2007 18:35D. Each package bears the establishment number "19676" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease. The most common manifestation of listeriosis is meningitis, which has symptoms of high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections to infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems such as persons with chronic diseases or those taking chemotherapy for cancer.

"We have notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture of the lab findings and that we would be warning the public about the discovery," said Commissioner Irvin. "Sampling on a regular basis with a scientific protocol is a very important part of our food safety program."

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
The Office Cat	2
Neighborhood vandalism is out of control	1
The Office Cat	1
Drug problem growing; little is being done	1
The Office Cat	1
Family escapes death in semi hit-and-run	1
Feed a family of four for $10 a week	1