Sunday October 5, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- A USDA agency on Oct 3 issued a statement to alert consumers to the association between 32 cases of salmonella illnesses in Minnesota and 11 other states with consumption of products such as chicken cordon blue and chicken breast kiev.

The problem, according to The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), is that the victims apparently failed to follow the cooking instruction on the label.

The victims may be innocent though because the raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken entrees give the consumers an impression that they have already precooked and what they need to do before eating the chicken is to microwave it.

But just because you microwave the food, it does not mean the germs are killed.  

The agency said the troublesome chicken entrees may be labeled "chicken cordon bleu," "chicken kiev" or chicken breast stuffed with cheese, vegetables or other items.

FSIS advised that consumers follow the cooking instruction on the packaging and general food safety guidelines when handling and preparing raw meat or chicken to prevent salmonella poisoning and other illnesses.

Salmonella illness is caused by Salmonella and eating food contaminated with this bacterium can cause the condition in humans. The condition can be particularly serious in those with weak immune systems such as infants, the elderly and persons who have their immune system compromised by other diseases or medical treatments.

Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The symptoms will disappear normally 4 to 7 days and the infected persons will in most cases recover without medical intervention.