A significant food safety alert has been issued in the United States following the discovery of potentially dangerous bacteria in a popular chicken product. A major recall is now underway, affecting thousands of pounds of pre-cooked chicken distributed to several states.
Details of the Frozen Chicken Recall
The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on Friday. The action involves 13,720 pounds of ready-to-eat grilled chicken breasts produced by the Georgia-based company, Suzanna’s Kitchen. The decision was triggered after Listeria monocytogenes was detected in the product during routine testing conducted by a third-party laboratory.
The affected items were produced on 14 October 2025. They were packaged in 10-pound cases, each containing two five-pound bags of fully cooked chicken with rib meat. These cases were sent to food service operators and institutions, not directly to supermarket shelves for public purchase.
The products were distributed across seven states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Ohio. Authorities have urged all food service centres in these regions to check their inventories immediately.
How to Identify the Recalled Product
Businesses and consumers are advised to look for specific identifying marks on the packaging. The recalled cases bear the lot code 60104 P1382 287 5 J14 on the side. The packaging will also display the USDA mark of inspection and the establishment number "P-1382".
As of now, no illnesses have been reported in connection with consuming this product. Suzanna’s Kitchen has not yet provided a public comment in response to media enquiries.
The Serious Risks of Listeria Infection
Listeria is a particularly resilient bacterium that can thrive in unsanitary production environments and is found in soil, water, and animal faeces. Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, it can survive and even multiply under refrigeration. Infection occurs when food is prepared or stored in contaminated conditions.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that listeriosis poses a severe threat to vulnerable groups. This includes newborns, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The CDC estimates approximately 1,250 Americans contract listeria each year, resulting in about 172 deaths.
Symptoms can be delayed, appearing anywhere from three to 70 days after consumption. They range from fever, muscle aches, and nausea to more severe neurological effects such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
A Second Recall for the Same Company
This is not the first recent recall for Suzanna’s Kitchen. In December 2025, the company recalled approximately 62,550 pounds of fully cooked, bone-in breaded chicken products. That earlier recall was due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen (soy), not bacterial contamination. No illnesses were reported in that instance either, but the FSIS had warned that products might still be in restaurant freezers.
For the current listeria-related recall, the FSIS strongly advises that any matching products be removed from storage and disposed of immediately. Anyone concerned about potential exposure or illness should contact a healthcare provider without delay.
