OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Health officials in Washington and Oregon say an outbreak of salmonella illness is linked to Foster Farms chicken.
The Oregon Health Authority said there were 43 cases last year in Oregon, and the Washington Health Department said there were at least 56 linked to a specific strain of the bacteria called salmonella Heidelberg. There were no deaths.
Foster Farms says in a statement that safety and quality are priorities. There is no recall.
Both health departments said Thursday the illnesses are a reminder to consumers to take care in handling and cooking chickens. Salmonella is common on all chicken, not just Foster Farms products, and cross contamination is possible, for example, if salad lettuce touches the same cutting board as raw chicken.
