Over 15,000 Pounds of Chicken Strips Contaminated with Thallium Have Been Recalled

Image courtesy of Nature Raised Farms

It’s time to check your freezer again—Suzanna’s Kitchen, Inc. is recalling over 15,000 pounds of grilled chicken strips that may contain unsafe concentrations of thallium. Though no illnesses have been reported, the products were shipped to retailers nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The issue was discovered when the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services tested packages grilled chicken strips produced by Suzanna’s Kitchen and found concentrations of thallium in the product. The levels aren’t high enough to immediately make anyone sick, but the FSIS is still recalling the products out of an abundance of caution. In particular, the FSIS is concerned that continuing to eat the contaminated chicken strips could cause more vulnerable populations, like children and the elderly, to become sick.

Right now, only one product is included in the recall:

• 8-oz. boxed packages of “Nature Raised Farms Organic Gluten Free Grilled Chicken Breast Strips” with a “use by” date of June 20, 2019, and a lot number of “1718SUZ01”

The products included in the recall also have the establishment number “EST. 1381” on the side panel of the box. The FSIS is concerned that consumers might have the chicken strips in their freezers, so make sure to check yours and throw out or return any products included in the recall.

In the past, thallium has been used as a poison for rats and other pests, but this use was outlawed in the U.S. in 1972 due to safety concerns. The FSIS is currently working with the Michigan Department of Health and Suzanna’s Kitchen to identify the source of the contamination, and to prevent any more contaminated products from being distributed and sold.