TCI Environmental Health Department hereby alerts the general public that the US Food and Drug Administration has issued two recalls of contaminated chicken and cilantro respectively.
Trade between the USA and Turks and Caicos Islands involving these products, and the potential risks to local consumers necessitate a corresponding recall in these islands by the Environmental Health Department.
Recall 1:
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a North Carolina-based Raeford Farm is recalling more than 4,100 pounds of cooked chicken breasts over possible Listeria Monocytogenes contamination. The recalled chicken breasts are marked “P-239A” inside the USDA mark of inspection, along with a product code of “94268” and a package date of “1270” (Sept. 27, 2011). The products were shipped to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The problem was discovered after a customer’s sample tested positive, but no illnesses have been reported, the USDA said.
Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning and a disease called Listeriosis.
Healthy people rarely get the Listeria infection, known as listeriosis, but older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems face a great risk.
Symptoms can take up to two months to develop, and include diarrhea, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
In the early months of 2011, a Listeria outbreak that was linked to cantaloupes sickened 146 persons and killed 30.
Recall 2:
The Environmental Health is also alerting the public of a recent recall of Cilantro in the USA.
The FDA said that Pacific Cilantro of Salinas, Calif, is voluntarily recalling more than 6,000 cartons of cilantro that were shipped to California, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, South Carolina and Missouri. An FDA test found salmonella in a sample of the herbs, also known as Coriander. The cilantro was grown by Salt River Farming in the Phoenix-area.
No illnesses have been reported.
The recall is considered precautionary.
Each bunch has “Pacific” on the twist tie and the UPC code 33383 80104.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience fever, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, Salmonella infection can get into the bloodstream, resulting in more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
Cilantro is an herb and is sometimes referred to as coriander. Cilantro specifically refers to the leaves and stems of the coriander plant. It is a bright, pungent herb used in Asian, Mexican and Indian cooking. Cilantro is a flavorful herb also known as Chinese parsley. Consumers of the aforementioned products are advised to discontinue use immediately and consult the government medical facility for further advice.
Importers of the aforementioned products are advised to discontinue the sale of all products bearing the batch dates mentioned above. Importers are also advised to
contact Pacific International Marketing at 831-755-1398 for additional information.
