Public Health Alert Issued On Chicken Products Sold At Publix Stores In These States

Authorities have issued a public health alert on chicken products that were sold at Publix stores in seven states.

The problem with the affected "aprons Ready to Cook Meal For One Bacon-Cheddar Smothered Chicken" products was that they may be misbranded and contain an allergen, according to an announcement posted on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website.

The issue was discovered after a customer pointed out the products have an incorrect label – the back label read chicken cordon bleu. The chicken cordon bleu product does not contain egg, while the actual product in the package, the bacon-cheddar smothered chicken, does.

This could pose a risk for customers with an egg allergy as its presence was not indicated on the label. Eggs are one of the eight food allergens that should be mentioned "in plain language" on the labels of foods containing them, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). The reactions of egg allergy may range from mild to "life-threatening" anaphylaxis.

"There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products," read the announcement. "Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider."

The chicken products affected by the public health alert were shipped to Publix locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. They have a use-by date of "9/21/2022" and the establishment number "P-48176" on the USDA mark of inspection.

A photo of the product's packaging can be found on the FSIS website.

No recall was issued for the products because they were no longer available for sale. The public health alert was to warn people who still have them in their homes.

"FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with an allergy to eggs are aware that these products should not be consumed," the company noted.

People who still have the products should either throw them away or take them back to the place of purchase.