Foster Farms President: ‘I am sorry for any foodborne illness associated with our fresh chicken’
The current multistate Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak linked to Foster Farms brand chicken has sickened 338 people in 20 states and Puerto Rico according to the latest CDC numbers.
In response to the outbreak and subsequent plunging sales, Foster Farms President Ron Foster released the following statement on their website:
Foster Farms chicken
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“On behalf of everyone at Foster Farms, I am sorry for any foodborne illness associated with our fresh chicken. No illness is acceptable to us and that is why we have fully responded to the USDA and have new interventions in place that are sure to make Foster Farms one of the safest producers in the nation.
“On Oct. 10, the USDA approved our plans to add new processes and technology to our three California plants. These plans build on food safety improvements implemented as early as March of this year. Our commitment to food safety is continuous.
“Foster Farms immediately installed six new processes throughout our California facilities known to effectively lower the incidence of Salmonella. We are breaking the chain of Salmonella at every stage of production – from the ranch where the birds live, to the plant where the chicken is processed, to the product packaging line. We are implementing these processes in all of our facilities, including our plant in Farmerville, Louisiana. With these measures in place, we are confident that Foster Farms will come out stronger and with the safest, cleanest and most vigilant poultry plants in the country. We are holding ourselves to a higher standard.
“The USDA and California Department of Public Health confirm that Foster Farms products are as safe as any other poultry product in the U.S. when properly handled and fully cooked. USDA-FSIS inspectors continue to inspect and approve the safety of Foster Farms chicken daily at each of our plants.
“We stand by our products with a 100 percent quality guarantee – we always have. If you have concerns about any Foster Farms products, please contact us. We have worked hard to earn your trust over nearly 75 years and we are doing everything we can to retain that trust.”
