Chicken Recall Ignites Fear Of Staphylococcal Bacteria Contamination

31,000 pounds of breaded chicken products have been recalled by Pennsylvania-based food company Murry's Inc. on Saturday, reported the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, according to PBS News Hour. 

The chicken may reportedly be contaminated with Staphylococcal bacteria, a type of bacteria commonly implicated in food-borne illnesses and Staph infections. Staphylococcal toxins can reportedly cause illness within 30 minutes of exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

These specific toxins are reportedly resistant to heat and are not destroyed by the extreme temperatures that are used to cook food, according to the website Viral Global News. 

The symptoms of poisoning reportedly include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea and can be developed within a few hours of when the contaminated food has been consumed, according to Webmd, which explains the quick need to recall the frozen chicken products. 

The recalled products reportedly include Bell & Evans gluten-free chicken breast nuggets and Bell & Evans gluten-free chicken breast, according to USDA. The products reportedly have August 9, 2015 expiration dates. 

"Even having knowledge of one box being contaminated, we felt a voluntary recall would be necessary," stated Murry's Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ira Mendelson. 

The contamination was reportedly discovered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture during a retail surveillance and sampling program, according to the press release that was given. Both the USDA and Mendelson stated that there have been no reports of illness since the recall was made over the weekend.