UPDATE Nine people in Illinois are part of a multistate frozen, breaded chicken Salmonella outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s an increase of three illnesses since the agency’s last update on June 2. Items associated with this outbreak include frozen chicken cordon bleu and chicken broccoli and cheese products. The items were made by Serenade Foods in Milford, IN and sold under the brand names Kirkwood, Milford Valley and Dutch Farms at ALDI, Walmart, Meijer, County Market and other grocery stores in Illinois.
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Illinois Breaded Chicken Salmonella Outbreak
The number of people sickened in this outbreak is likely much higher than the confirmed case total, according to the CDC. The confirmed case count from each state so far is Arizona (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (9), Indiana (4), Michigan (1), Minnesota (4), Nevada (1), and New York (7). Eleven people have been hospitalized.
The patients reported eating a variety of breaded chicken products sold at multiple stores. So far, two product has been confirmed to contain the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enetriditis – Kirkwood Chicken Cordon Bleu and Kirkwood Chicken Broccoli and Cheese. Kirkwood products are sold at ALDI stores.
While investigating the outbreak in June, Minnesota Agriculture Department investigators bought several items and tested them. They found the outbreak strain in a sample of Kirkwood’s Chicken Cordon Bleu. However, these items were not recalled and continued to be sold at ALDI stores until August 9, 2021 when Serenade Foods of Milford, IN issued a recall.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) said it needs more information before it can request a recall from the company. This information would include purchase documentation and shopper records, the agency said. USDA-FSIS issued a “Public Health Alert” for all frozen, stuffed, breaded chicken products without mentioning brand names on June 2, 2021. On August 9, 2021, Serenade Foods issued a recall for frozen, breaded, chicken products made at its Milford, IN facility and sold under the brand names Kirkwood, Milford Valley and Dutch Farms.
At least 125 retail locations in Illinois carried the recalled products. They include Berkot’s, Brookhaven Market, Fairplay, Food 4 Less, Happy Foods, Petes, Save a Lot, Shop & Save, Sunset Foods, Tony’s Finer Foods, Valli Produce, and Walt’s. To see the complete list posted on the USDA FSIS website, click the preceding link and then click the link under “Distribution List.”
This is not the first time Salmonella illnesses in Illinois have been linked to this type of product. Six years ago, two people in Illinois were part of a seven-state Salmonella outbreak linked to Barber frozen, stuffed breaded chicken.
Severe Salmonella Symptoms
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection usually appear within six to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. They include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The people sickened in this outbreak, who range in age from 3 to 83 years old, first experienced symptoms of a Salmonella infection on dates ranging from February 21, 2021, to June 28, 2021.
With a hospitalization rate that is twice the average, the people sickened in this outbreak are experiencing severe infections. If you have eaten a Kirkwood chicken cordon bleu or other stuffed, breaded chicken entrée and develop any of the following severe Salmonella symptoms, see a doctor right away.
- Diarrhea that lasts more than three days that isn’t improving
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Vomiting and can’t keep liquids down
- Dehydration (decreased urination, dry mouth, feeling dizzy when standing up)
Free Salmonella Lawsuit Consultation
If you contracted a Salmonella Enetriditis infection from Kirkwood chicken cordon bleu or another contaminated breaded chicken product and would like a free consultation with an experienced Salmonella lawyer, please contact the Pritzker Hageman Salmonella Legal Team. We have represented clients in every major Salmonella outbreak in the U.S. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we win.
This post was originally on published June 7, 2021
UPDATE: This post was updated on August 9, 2021, to include a link to recall information.
UPDATE: This post was updated on August 16, 2021 to include information about additional illnesses and retail stores in Illinois that sold the recalled items.