Consumer Affair 32 cases of Salmonella illnesses linked to improper cooking
By Jimmy Downs
Oct 5, 2008 - 2:53:44 PM
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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 federal agency said "It is especially important
to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of these chicken
products such that all points of measurement are at least 165° F." in its
statement.
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.