After issuing a recall on July 3 for nearly 8.5 million pounds of chicken products, Tyson Foods (TSN) has expanded the recall to include another 500,000 pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken because it may be contaminated with Listeria.

The recall from Tyson now covers nearly 9 million pounds of poultry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported three illnesses, three hospitalizations, and one death that are possibly linked to the recalled chicken products from Tyson. The incidents occurred in the states of Texas and Delaware, the agency said.

An investigation by the CDC is currently underway, and the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said it is working to determine if there are additional illnesses linked to the affected chicken products.

The chicken was sold nationwide at retailers such as Target, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, H-E-B, and Wegmans, and was also distributed at hospitals, nursing facilities, restaurants that include Jet’s Pizza, Casey’s General Store, Marco’s Pizza, and Little Caesars, schools, and Department of Defense locations, according to USA Today.

The chicken products were produced from Dec. 26, 2020 through April 13, 2021. The chicken has the establishment number EST. P-7089 on the bag or inside the USDA mark of inspection. A full list of products included in the recall can be viewed here.

Listeriosis infection can cause symptoms of fever, muscle aches, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. It can sometimes be preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms that usually start one to four weeks after eating food that has been contaminated.

Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns. It can also be fatal in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.

Those individuals who have symptoms of listeriosis are advised to seek immediate medical treatment.

The FSIS is urging consumers not to eat or serve the recalled chicken products. Consumers should check their freezer for the affected chicken and throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.

Questions about the recall can be directed to Tyson Foods’ customer relations at 1-855-382-3101, Sunday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT.

In a statement about the initial recall, Scott Brooks, senior vice president of food safety and quality assurance for Tyson Foods, said: “We’re committed to providing safe, healthy food that people rely on every day. We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety.”

Shares of Tyson Foods were trading at $73.19 as of 9:02 a.m. EDT on Friday, up 55 cents, or 0.76%.

Tyson Foods
A Tyson Foods product is seen in a publicity photo. Reuters
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