Mechanically Separated Chicken Recalled for Containing Plastic

Tip Top Poultry, Inc., a Rockmart, Georgia, establishment is recalling approximately 18,000 pounds of mechanically separated chicken product that may contain pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on Wednesday.

The company is recalling  250 lb. drums of Tip Top roasted mechanically separated chicken. The product subject to recall was packaged on April 29, 2013, and was distributed to one establishment for further processing for institutional use. Cases can be identified by the case code 55252, pack date 04/29/13, and the establishment number P-17453 within the mark of inspection, according to FSIS.

The press released noted that the pieces of plastic found in the product are from a “washer that broke” and the problem was discovered at the further processing establishment as they were using the product to formulate a soup base.

FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.