Tyson Foods is pulling back 33,840 pounds of chicken because they could be infected with Salmonella the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a press release Friday.
"FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume poultry products that has been cooked to a temperature of 165 °F," The USDA FSIS said in the release. "The only way to confirm that poultry products are cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature," the press release reported.
FSIS heard about the case Dec. 12, and later found a connection with the chicken, and a correctional facility in Tennessee the press release reported. The Tennessee Department of Health also assisted in the process.
Seven people are known to have Salmonella, and two have gone to the hospital from when the disease began Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 the press release reported.
The chicken was made Oct. 11, 2013, and include 40 pound packages of 10 pound pieces of the product the press release reported.
The packages have establishment numbers P-13556, and case code 2843SDL1412 - 18. Tyson sent out the products throughout the United States for public use the press release reported.
Consumers can call Tyson Foods' consumer relations department at 866,886-8456 the press release reported. Those with questions can contact Worth Sparkman, Tyson Foods public relations manager at 479-290-6358.
The FSIS's virtual representative, Ask Karen, is also on call 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The feature can also be accessed on smartphones at m.askkaren.gov the press release reported.
She is also available for live chats Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time.
Another option includes the toll-free USDA meat and poultry hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in English and Spanish.
