WASHINGTON -- USDA's Food Safety & Inspection Service, in collaboration with the state of Minnesota, recently investigated illnesses associated with a class of frozen entrees that contain raw chicken.
These frozen, breaded, boneless chicken products that may also be stuffed or filled and appear browned are raw and must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Using a food thermometer is the only sure way of knowing food has reached a high enough temperature to destroy foodborne bacteria.
Because these products are often stuffed or filled with additional ingredients, they may take longer to reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F than chicken breasts that do not contain fillings.
FSIS believes that in some cases, consumers may not realize that the breading on these products has only been pre-browned and these frozen entrees contain raw chicken. FSIS is also concerned that consumers may not be following cooking instructions or that because of the variability of microwave ovens, the instructions may not yield a product that reaches an internal minimum temperature of 165 degrees F.
FSIS is requiring that the manufacturers of these products ensure that new labels clearly state that these products contain raw chicken and must be fully cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. In addition, FSIS is taking steps to ensure that cooking instructions are effective, understandable and practical. Consumers should contact the manufacturer if following the cooking instructions yields a product that is unacceptable in terms of taste or texture.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Safety_Education/Ask_Karen/index.asp#Question. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 888-674-6854, is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
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