Tip Top Poultry Recalls Poultry Products for Possible Listeria Contamination
Tip Top Poultry Inc. is recalling approximately 135,810 pounds of fully cooked poultry products that may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that could cause serious illness. According to a news release posted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the fully-cooked, frozen, ready-to-eat chicken was produced on Jan. 21, 2019 and has the display “Pack Date 01/21/19” on the labels. The problem with listeria contamination was discovered on Aug. 17, 2019 when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency notified U.S. officials that a sample of product produced by Tip Top Poultry confirmed positive for the presence of listeria.
Canadian public health officials have been investigating a listeria outbreak in that country. These cooked poultry products were distributed nationwide. Officials are concerned that some of these products may be in the freezers of homes or institutions. Officials are urging anyone who has these poultry products at home to discard them or return them to the point of purchase.
Understanding the Dangers
Consuming food contaminated with listeria could cause listeriosis, an infection that could have serious effects on older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Some of the common symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle pain, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
In pregnant women, listeriosis can be even more dangerous and result in miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, listeriosis could result in serious or sometimes fatal infections in older adults, especially when the invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms within two months after eating the tainted food should seek prompt medical care and inform their healthcare provider about eating the contaminated food.
If You Have Been Sickened
If you or a loved one has suffered a listeria infection as a result of a product you purchased from a store or were served in a restaurant or institution, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of diagnosis, pain and suffering and emotional distress. It is also important to contact your local healthcare agency, which tracks these types of food-borne illnesses. Contact an experienced food poisoning lawyer who will help ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected.