NJ Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Chicken Livers
A Salmonella outbreak linked to kosher broiled chicken livers from Schreiber Processing Corporation has sickened at least 64 people in New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
The majority of the cases have occurred in Ocean County. About 11 percent of the patients have required hospitalization, 48 percent are female, Donna Leusner, the department's spokeswoman, told CIDRAP News.
Chicken livers and chicken liver products, sold under the MealMart brand, are labeled “broiled” and appear cooked but are not. DHSS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have identified these cases of illness associated with the Salmonella Heidelberg bacteria strain, a common bacteria associated with food poisoning in humans.
The cases of Salmonella Heidelberg, identified during the period of February through November, all had a common DNA fingerprint. Public health investigations recognized a pattern of people reporting that they ate kosher broiled chicken livers or chopped liver before their illness began. The same Salmonella strain has been found in samples of broiled chicken livers and in samples of chopped liver made from the kosher broiled chicken livers.
In stores, broiled chicken livers are often re-packaged and sold in smaller quantities. Retail stores and other establishments in the following communities either re-packaged this product or used it to prepare chopped liver that was sold to customers:
- New Jersey: Moonachie, Englewood, Lakewood, Freehold, Teaneck, Elizabeth, Howell,Highland Park, Passaic, Paterson
- New York: Bronx, Brooklyn, Cedarhurst, Far Rockaway, Ferndale, Flushing, Kew Gardens Lawrence, Loch Sheldrake, Monsey, New York (Manhattan), Ocean Side, Parksville, Roslyn Heights, Schenectady, South Fallsberg, Suffern, Wesley Hills, Woodridge.
- Maryland: Baltimore
- Pennsylvania: Mckeesrocks, Philadelphia
- Minnesota: New Hope
Consuming food contaminated with Salmonella can cause an infection called salmonellosis which can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, infants and the elderly. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Anyone who ate meat included in this recall and develops symptoms should seek medical attention.
Anyone with legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak should contact the Salmonella lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A., a national leader in foodborne illness, for a free consultation by clicking here or calling toll free 1 (888) 377-8900.
