Hannaford Recalls Chicken Meal Kits Due To Undeclared Allergens

Hannaford has issued a recall for select ready-to-eat chicken breast meal kits. The issue, as the New England-based supermarket company explains in a statement, is that its supplier, Taylor Farms, realized these products may include undeclared wheat and soy, which are allergens and not on its product labels.

The specific products that are subject to the recall are 11.55-ounce containers, have sell by dates ranging from March 26 through March 29, and are marked with the lot codes TFNE078, TFNE079, TFNE080, and TFNE081. The statement ended by affirming that as of the announcement, no injuries had been reported and the offending products had been removed. If you have bought these chicken products from Hannaford, you may return it for a full refund.

However, since the issue was with the supplier, the recall for the ready made chicken breasts extends across the boundaries of grocery store brands. A press release issued by Hannaford's sister company Stop & Shop, reported by Globe Newswire, states that it too is recalling the same chicken product. The same details apply.

One might wonder how a company that produces the same food product everyday can accidentally introduce a wheat or soy allergen. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, Taylor Farms discovered the possibility of contamination when it noticed the seasoning of its chicken breasts was different. 

However, in February, Hannaford had to recall Abbot powder formulas because there were reported cases of infected infants (via Hannaford). On March 23, CBS News confirmed that federal inspectors found unsanitary conditions throughout the plant that produced the powders. Further research found eight instances of bacteria in the last three years.

More worrisome, though, is that the FDA knew about the health violations after conducting an inspection in September — months before hospitalizations forced the hand of the company and the government. Moreover, besides a note of failing to "maintain clean surfaces used in producing and handling the powdered formula," the actual reasons for why such failures did occur has not come to light, according to CBS News.