Poultry recall expanded to frozen chicken nuggets

Associated Press

GREELEY, Colo.

A voluntary recall of thousands of pounds of ready-to-eat chicken was expanded over concerns that the meat could be contaminated with bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Colorado-based Pilgrim’s Pride said Tuesday the recall now includes about 7,000 pounds of Pilgrim’s Pride Brand Fully Cooked Chicken Breast Nuggets that were shipped to 57 Dollar General Market stores in West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

Dollar General spokeswoman Tawn Earnest said smaller stores in the chain aren’t affected.

The recall began last week over fears that more than 5 tons of ready-to-eat chicken was potentially tainted by Listeria monocytogenes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies listeriosis as a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems.

Pilgrim’s Pride spokesman Gary Rhodes said Wednesday that he wasn’t aware of any illnesses related to the recall.

The newly recalled product was sold in 2-pound bags and carries the best-by date of June 2, 2012, and UPC number 77013 16224. It was produced in the Pilgrim’s plant in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Pilgrim’s officials say the company is working closely with Dollar General to locate all of the recalled product.

Consumers can contact Pilgrim’s at 800-321-1470.