The Great Salmonella Outbreak: How Frozen Breaded Chicken Led to a Nationwide Scare

'Infographic'

In February 2021, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections occurred, affecting 36 people across 11 states in the United States. The outbreak was linked to raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products produced at the P-2375 Serenade Foods facility in Milford, Indiana. In this article, we will delve into the details of the investigation and how it led to a nationwide scare.

The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) was initially alerted about the outbreak after several people reported getting sick from consuming raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products. The agency launched an investigation, collecting unopened packages of Kirkwood Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheese from a sick person's house for testing.

The testing revealed that two samples of Kirkwood's Chicken Cordon Bleu contained the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis. Further investigation led to the discovery of five raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products at a grocery store where a sick person had purchased these products. This suggested that people who got sick from the outbreak consumed the same food.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture also collected raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products from different brands and stores, which were then tested for Salmonella Enteritidis. The results confirmed that the bacteria was present in all samples.

Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology, public health investigators were able to identify the genetic fingerprint of the bacteria found in sick people's samples. This allowed them to match the DNA fingerprints with those stored in CDC's PulseNet database, a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses.

Through PulseNet, investigators identified 32 people who had consumed raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products within a week before falling ill. Of these, 12 were hospitalized, and 14 reported preparing and eating frozen breaded stuffed chicken products.

The outbreak affected people of all ages, from 1 to 83 years old, with a median age of 38 years. Women made up 57% of those affected, and the illnesses started on dates ranging from February 21, 2021, to August 2021.

In total, 36 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis were reported across 11 states. The investigation concluded that raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products produced at the P-2375 Serenade Foods facility in Milford, Indiana, made people sick.

The outbreak was declared over on October 13, 2021, after a thorough investigation and extensive testing. While the true number of sick people may be higher than reported, thanks to the swift action of public health officials, the outbreak did not result in any fatalities.

In conclusion, this infographic highlights the importance of food safety and the measures taken by regulatory agencies and public health officials to investigate and contain outbreaks like this one. It also serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with consuming raw or undercooked poultry products and the need for proper handling and cooking procedures to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Chicken infographic