A recall has yet to be issued following a Salmonella outbreak connected to a California poultry producer.
Approximately 278 people in 18 states have been reported with the bacterial disease, health officials say.
CNN reported raw chicken products from Foster Farms are the likely origins of the Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak. The Food Safety and Inspection Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has not been able to narrow the specific product or production period to the outbreak. However, raw products with the following packaging numbers from the affected facilities have been identified: P6137, P6137A and P7632.
Foster Farms said in a statement that they have implemented certain food safety precautions to help control the breakout in the Pacific Northwest.
The USDA indicated the FSIS will continue to inspect animals and birds intended for slaughter for use as food and supervise the processing routines of meat and poultry items, ensuring those products remain safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is collaborating with FSIS to continue the extensive investigation. According to CNN, the government shutdown has limited certain information not available on the agencies’ websites.
Consumers with food safety concerns can contact the FSIS virtual representative “Ask Karen.” The service is available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov.