Two simultaneous Salmonella outbreaks linked to frozen chicken entrees in Minnesota are the latest examples of how frozen food can cause illness. Frozn foods can be contaminated with Salmonella, E. coli, Hepatitis or Listeria or other dangerous pathogens.
Salmonella
Two current Salmonella outbreaks are linked to frozen, raw, pre-browned chicken Kiev by Barber Foods and frozen, raw, pre-browned chicken Cordon Bleu by Antioch Farms have sickened seven people, hospitalizing four of them. Illnesses in other states may also be linked to the outbreaks. Investigations are ongoing.
Listeria
The Blue Bell ice cream Listeria outbreak is an example of how Listeria can survive freezing temperatures. Rare strains of Listeria in Blue Bell ice cream served to patients at Via Christi hospital in Wichita gave five of them listeriosis. Three people died. Cases linked to the ice cream were reported in three other states.
E.coli
An E. coli outbreak linked to Farm Rich frozen products sickened 35 people in 19 states in 2013. Most of them were under the age of 21.
The contaminated Farm Rich products included: Mozzarella Bites, Mini Pizza Slices, Mini Quesadillas and Philly Cheese Steaks. About 300,000 of the 10 million pounds of products recalled were sold to schools.
Hepatitis A
In 2013, a 10-state Hepatitis A outbreak linked to Townsend Farms frozen berries sold at Costco stores sickened 162 people. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus. Sometimes those who are infected show no symptoms. For those who do become sick, symptoms usually develop two weeks after exposure and can last for months. They include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, dark urine, clay colored stools and jaundice.
