Processing defect sparks chicken recall

23-Jan-2017 - Last updated on 23-Jan-2017 at 16:14 GMT

Hans Kissle Company's sweet and sour chicken was subject to the recall

US-based Hans Kissle Company has recalled more than 6,000lbs (2,721kg) of ready-to-eat chicken, as a possible processing flaw raised concerns that bacterial pathogens may be present in the meat.

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed that Hans Kissle Company of Massachusetts recalled nearly three tonnes of ready-to-eat chicken on 20 January.

The unusual recall relates to what the USDA called a “potential process defect”. Officials discovered the problem during a routine in-plant inspection. Fears are the processing flaw may result in the survival of bacterial pathogens in the meat.

Classified as a ‘class one recall’, the health risk is reportedly high, according to FSIS.

Hans Kissle Company’s microwavable ready-to-eat chicken bowl products have been shipped to the Roche grocery chain in Boston, Massachusetts.

Craig Drinkwater, director of sales and marketing at Hans Kissle Company, said the recall relates to a "paperwork issue" which has now been "fixed". No further details were given.

There have been no reports of illness or injury due to consumption of the products, despite the recall’s high health risk classification.

As always with food recalls, consumers are advised not to eat the product if it has been purchased. The products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Products affected by the recall bear the established number ‘p-7573’ inside the USDA mark of inspection.