Question About Food Recalls

I tend to see recalls after I've already eaten the thing in question, so I don't tend to get overly worried since I'd already be sick if I was going to get sick.

I did throw out an unopened container of hummus that was recalled. That is the only time I think I've ever seen a recall before I could consume the product.

Mostly I wouldn't bother about a product that did not match the recalled codes, but you should do what makes you most comfortable.

If in doubt, throw it out.

I would feel awful if I kept it and someone got sick. JMO.

I think most of the time when there is a recall, the companies are being extra cautious and announcing food made just before and just after the food that really is unsafe. The companies want to be absolutely certain that no one else gets sick. Their reputation is on the line, so they take this very seriously. The Blue Bell example you gave, is less likely, but it sure sounds like they screwed up. No one is going to forget that anytime soon.

Still, if it were me, I would probably hold off. It's a frozen food, right? So keeping it in the freezer for an extra week or two isn't going to be a problem. I'd serve something else and wait to serve the chicken until it seemed pretty clear that the recall was complete.

You're entirely right to remember the Blue Bell ice cream recall and how it started with a few products and ballooned. While that's rare, it can happen.

I'm on the FDA e-mail list for messages about recalls, and I get them almost daily during the weekdays (it does include medical product recalls, not just food, I should note--but most of it's food recalls including pet foods which seem to be candidates for contamination!).

In your shoes I would pitch the chicken just for safety's sake. Remember -- by the time the FDA is involved in a large, public recall, or even by the time a manufacturer itself is doing a recall even without FDA involvement, the product is already usually widely distributed, and reports of possible illness can take quite a long time to reach authorities who then take time to report those incidents to the manufacturer or the FDA. That's why things happen like the Blue Bell recall where products on the recall list gradually kept increasing over time.

Better to dump the product than to serve it later and worry about someone getting sick. Even if no one gets sick -- the worry would be bad enough, for me.

If you want to sign up for the FDA recall e-mail alerts, you can do so at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm
Look down the page for the link that says, "Sign up to receive recalls...alerts"

Getting the alerts has helped me avoid possibly tainted products twice in the past couple of years so that's worthwhile, to me. Most stuff is fine, but when something isn't, I prefer to know as soon as I can.

I wouldn't be comfortable. You can call the number on the recall notice and share your concerns. Perhaps they will refund your money or advise.

I am in the same boat as you. Debating the same thing! The broccoli/cheese stuffed breasts and my "use by" date is a week after one of the recalled ones date. I just have it sitting in the freezer. I did eat one out of the box already(before I knew of recall) and did not have any issue.
I am debating returning it to the store or tossing it out. I probably will not eat it.

i'd take it back, not so much for the few bucks it costs, but to make sure that the company knows that consumers are aware, and to hit 'em where it'll make sure they do better (or go under.)
i don't panic over recalls. but i think i'd heed this one, and i think it's too easy for THEM if you just pitch it. unless, of course, you're just too dang busy to bother with sending messages<G>. and that's the case for most moms!
khairete
S.

There should be a lot number or other identifier on it (sometimes called a "lot code), not just the "sell by" date. I'd go by that. Leave the package in your freezer for another few weeks to see if the recall is isolated to the original batch. My understanding is that Barber voluntarily expanded the recall to include other products/dates beyond the original lot they are concerned about. (I realize that "voluntarily" means they were worried about lawsuits! But that's why these recalls are more cautious and expansive than may be necessary.)

If you go to this link from the USDA (government), you can get more details.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-a...

If nothing new is added to the recall by, say, the end of July, I think you're probably safe.