By: Alyssa Wilson

Tyson Foods is voluntarily recalling nearly 8.5 million pounds of frozen chicken that may have been contaminated with Listeria, the USDA reported. The chicken products, which were fully cooked and frozen, were produced between December 26, 2020, and April 13, 2021.  

According to The New York Times, the products include chicken strips, chicken pizza and chicken breasts, among other things sold by Tyson, Jet’s Pizza and Casey’s General Store. They have the establishment number “EST. P-7089.” 

On June 9, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture was notified of two people who became sick from listeriosis. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health experts, the FSIS determined the Listeria was linked to the Tyson products. Further investigation revealed three cases and one death between April 6 and June 5. 

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Listeriosis can be caused by eating food contaminated with L. monocytogenes, and it is a serious infection that is especially harmful to older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women and their newborns.  

Symptoms of the infection include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions that sometimes come after diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems. The infection in pregnant women can cause miscarriages, stillbirths or premature delivery, as well as life-threatening infections in newborns.