An outbreak of Staphylococcus illnesses in Canada has prompted the recall of some frozen breaded chicken breast strips. There is no more information about the outbreak; it was just mentioned in the recall notice. We do not know how many people are sick, their ages, their status, if anyone has been hospitalized, or where they live.
The recalled product is Maple Leaf Foods Maple Leaf brand Chicken Breast Strips in 840 gram packages. The best before date is 2018 SE 29, and the UPC number on the product is 0 63100 03089 6.
The chicken may contain the toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria. This bacteria is found on the skin and in the nose of about 25% of healthy people and animals. The bacteria itself doesn’t cause illness in healthy people, but the toxin can make you sick. Staph is salt tolerant, so it can grow in foods that don’t allow other types of bacterial growth. As the bacteria grows it produces toxins. And those toxins cannot be destroyed by cooking.
This illness is fast acting. Most people get sick within 30 minute to 6 hours after ingesting the toxin. Symptoms usually include vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. This illness is not contagious so can’t be spread person-to-person, and usually only lasts for a day. Severe illnesses are rare, although some people may need medical treatment for dehydration.
If you purchased this product, do not eat it. Throw it away in a sealed or double bagged package, or take it back to the store where you bought it for a full refund.
