A significant food safety alert has been issued for thousands of pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products, prompting immediate action from consumers and food service operators nationwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on January 16 that approximately 13,720 pounds of grilled chicken breast fillets are being recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that can cause serious illness.
The recall centers on products manufactured by Suzanna's Kitchen, a company specializing in fully cooked poultry items. The affected products are packaged in 10-pound cases, each containing two 5-pound bags of grilled chicken breast fillets with rib meat. These items are marketed as fully cooked and ready-to-eat, which elevates the concern level significantly since consumers may consume them without additional heating that could eliminate harmful bacteria.
Identification of the recalled products is straightforward for those who have them in their possession. Each package bears the specific lot code 60104 P1382 287 5 J14, which is printed on both the exterior case and the individual bags inside. The products were reportedly produced on October 14, 2025, a date that notably falls in the future relative to the recall announcement, strongly suggesting a typographical error in the official documentation that consumers should keep in mind when checking their products.
The contamination was discovered through routine laboratory sampling, demonstrating the effectiveness of the USDA's monitoring programs. When a sample tested positive for listeria, the agency immediately initiated the recall process to prevent potentially contaminated products from reaching consumers. This proactive approach highlights the importance of robust food safety surveillance systems in protecting public health.
Listeria monocytogenes is a serious bacterial pathogen that can cause listeriosis, a potentially life-threatening infection. While healthy adults may experience only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, the risks are far more severe for vulnerable populations. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems face particularly grave dangers from listeria infection. In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. For immunocompromised individuals and the elderly, the infection can lead to severe bloodstream infections or infections of the brain and spinal cord.
The USDA has emphasized that no confirmed illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall to date. However, health officials note that listeria infections can have an incubation period of up to 70 days, meaning symptoms might not appear immediately after consumption. This delayed onset makes it crucial for anyone who may have consumed these products to remain vigilant for symptoms and seek medical attention if they develop concerning signs, even weeks after potential exposure.
The distribution pattern of these contaminated products adds complexity to the recall effort. Rather than being sold directly to consumers at retail establishments, the chicken breast fillets were shipped to distribution centers across multiple states for food service sales. While the specific states were not enumerated in the recall notice, this distribution method means the products could have reached various institutional settings, including restaurants, cafeterias, catering services, schools, hospitals, and other food service establishments where large quantities of prepared foods are served.
This commercial distribution pattern complicates the recall process significantly, as the products may have been further processed, repackaged, or incorporated into prepared meals before reaching end consumers. Food service operators who may have purchased these chicken breast fillets are urged to check their inventory immediately, cease any service of the affected products, and verify whether any menu items might contain the recalled chicken.
For individuals who may have purchased these products, particularly through food service venues, bulk purchases, or institutional settings, the USDA recommends taking immediate action. First, check any frozen chicken breast products in your possession for the specific lot code mentioned in the recall. If you find a matching product, do not consume it under any circumstances. The products should be discarded immediately or returned to the place of purchase if possible.
The agency advises that concerned consumers should contact their healthcare provider if they have already consumed the product and are experiencing symptoms consistent with listeriosis, or if they belong to a high-risk group. Early medical intervention can be critical in treating listeria infections, particularly for vulnerable individuals. While the recall notice did not specify refund procedures for individual consumers, food service operators and bulk purchasers should contact Suzanna's Kitchen directly for guidance on returns and reimbursements.
For questions about the recall, consumers and food service operators can reach out to Dawn Duncan, Customer Service Director at Suzanna's Kitchen, via email at dduncan@suzannaskitchen.com. This direct line of communication can provide specific guidance about product identification, returns, and any compensation procedures. The company has indicated its readiness to assist with the recall process, though no public statement has been issued beyond the official recall notice.
This recall falls under the jurisdiction of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, which oversees meat, poultry, and egg products. The discovery of listeria through routine laboratory sampling demonstrates the effectiveness of the agency's monitoring programs in catching potential threats before widespread illness occurs. The FSIS classifies this as a Class I recall, defined as a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
Recalls of ready-to-eat poultry products due to listeria contamination have become increasingly common in recent years, prompting heightened scrutiny from regulators and consumers alike. The ready-to-eat nature of these products means they bypass the cooking step that would typically kill harmful bacteria, making post-production contamination particularly dangerous. Unlike raw poultry, which consumers know to cook thoroughly, ready-to-eat products are presumed safe for immediate consumption.
Food safety experts emphasize that manufacturers of ready-to-eat products must maintain rigorous environmental monitoring programs to prevent listeria contamination in their facilities. This includes regular testing of equipment, surfaces, and finished products, as well as implementing strict sanitation protocols and separation between raw and cooked product zones. Listeria can thrive in cold, moist environments, making refrigerated and frozen food production facilities particularly vulnerable if proper controls are not maintained.
For consumers, this recall serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety practices, even with products labeled as fully cooked. While reheating ready-to-eat products may seem unnecessary, bringing them to a safe internal temperature of 165°F can provide an additional layer of protection against potential contamination that might occur after manufacturing. This is especially important for vulnerable individuals who should take extra precautions with all ready-to-eat foods.
Additionally, consumers should always check product labels for recall information, especially when purchasing frozen or prepared foods. The USDA maintains a comprehensive recall database on its website, and consumers can sign up for email alerts to stay informed about new food safety announcements. Staying informed is one of the best defenses against consuming recalled products.
As of the recall announcement date, the investigation remains ongoing. The USDA and Suzanna's Kitchen are working to ensure all affected products are removed from the market and properly disposed of. The absence of reported illnesses provides some reassurance, but health officials maintain that the risk remains significant enough to warrant the extensive recall and continued vigilance.
The company has not issued a public statement beyond the recall notice, but the provision of direct contact information suggests they are prepared to handle consumer inquiries and manage the recall process proactively. The effectiveness of this recall will depend largely on the ability of distribution centers and food service operators to identify and remove all affected products from their supply chains.
This recall of over 13,000 pounds of grilled chicken breast fillets highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of our food supply chain. While regulatory oversight and testing programs successfully identified this contamination before widespread illness occurred, the incident serves as a critical reminder of the vigilance required from manufacturers, distributors, food service operators, and consumers alike. The complex nature of modern food distribution means that a single production batch can reach numerous states and countless consumers through various channels.
Anyone who may have these products should act immediately to identify and dispose of them properly, while monitoring for any symptoms of listeria infection. The cooperation between regulatory agencies and manufacturers in issuing prompt recalls remains essential to protecting public health and maintaining consumer confidence in the food system. This event underscores the importance of robust food safety infrastructure and the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in preventing foodborne illness.