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FSIS said six people were sickened by Salmonella Enteritidis related to Barber Foods chicken products.

WASHINGTON – Portland, Maine-based Barber Foods is recalling approximately 1.7 million lbs. of frozen, raw stuffed chicken products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported July 12.

The chicken products were produced between Feb. 17 and May 20. Since the original recall on July 2, two more case-patients have been identified. The scope of the recall expansion now includes all products associated with the contaminated source material.

On July 2, Barber Foods recalled approximately 58,320 lbs. of frozen, raw, stuffed chicken items produced on Jan. 29; Feb. 20 and April 23.

The following product is subject to recall:

2-lb., 4-oz.-cardboard box containing six individually pouched pieces of “Barber Foods Premium Entrees Breaded-Boneless Raw Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Rib Meat Kiev” with use by/sell by date of April 28, 2016, May 20, 2016, and July 21, 2016, and lot code number 0950292102, 0950512101, or 0951132202.

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “P-276” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products were shipped to retail locations nationwide and Canada.

FSIS was notified of a cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses on June 24. Working in conjunction with Minnesota State Departments of Health and Agriculture, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FSIS determined a link between the frozen, raw, stuffed chicken products from Barber Foods and this illness cluster. Based on epidemiological evidence and traceback investigations, six case-patients have been identified in Minnesota and Wisconsin with illness onset dates ranging from April 5 to June 23 that link to the specific Barber Foods’ products. FSIS said it continues to work with public health partners on this investigation.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the organism. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.

FSIS said the agency and Barber Foods are concerned that some products may be in consumers’ freezers.