A federal inspection service on Wednesday issued a public health alert about a frozen ready-to-eat chicken pilaf product that may be contaminated with “foreign material,” namedly rocks.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be eaten. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase, a spokesman for the FSIS confirmed in a press statement.
Identified as a pilaf product that also included lentils and caramelized onions, it was produced on various dates from Nov. 1, 2023, through Jan. 19.
Distributed to Trader Joe’s grocery stores nationwide — which includes a Fairfield store and stores throughout California and 41 other states — it came in 14-ounce plastic packages containing, as the FSIS described, “Trader Joe’s Chicken, Lentil, & Caramelized Onion Pilaf with saffron basmati rice, dark chicken meat, dates and golden raisins.”
The product bears the establishment number “P-45322” inside of the USDA mark of inspection.
The problem was discovered when the establishment, identified as Mama Vicky’s Inc., based in North Hollywood, notified FSIS that it received multiple consumer complaints of rocks in the chicken pilaf. One consumer reported a dental injury from eating it.
FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider, the FSIS official, Jackson Collier, said.
The inspection service is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers, he added in the prepared statement. Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume them. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions about the alert can call Mama Vicky’s, telephone (818) 583-0003.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to [email protected].
For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day: visit https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.