Restaurants, hospitals, schools and other places that buy raw chicken in institutional packaging need to check their stocks. GNP Company, a company based in Cold Spring, Minnesota, that ships chicken nationwide, is recalling approximately 55,608 pounds of chicken that may be contaminated with “sand and black soil.”
The brand most affected is called Gold’n Plump, and it’s one also sold in Target stores that include grocery sections. Fortunately, the recall appears to apply only to 24- and 40-pound bulk packages. However, the notice explicitly reads that the chicken was distributed “for food service and retail distribution nationwide.” Another brand, called “Just BARE,” was affected to a lesser degree.
Companies can identify the chicken subject to the recall by looking for the number “P-322″ inside the USDA inspection mark.
GNP Company and law enforcement are currently investigating how the alleged sand and soil contamination happened. Fortunately, there have not yet been any reported instances of resulting illnesses.
Anyone who has purchased the chicken should throw it away or return it to the point of purchase for a refund. Consumer concerns should contact Jane Kalthoff, customer representative supervisor for Gold’n Plump, at 800-328-2838.
This article appears in Jun 16-22, 2016.