Here’s why a public health alert was issued for a food item sold only at Publix stores

A mixup between bacon-cheddar smothered chicken and chicken cordon bleu created a food allergy danger that put Publix in a USDA public health alert.

According to the alert, a customer found the label for aprons Ready to Eat Meal for One Chicken Cordon Bleu on the back of the metal container that had aprons Ready to Eat Meal for One Bacon-Cheddar Smothered Chicken. That would be a minor problem, except the former doesn’t have egg and the latter does.

That means if someone with an egg allergy checks the back of aprons Bacon-Cheddar Smothered Chicken, sees that egg isn’t listed among the allergens and doesn’t notice that it’s the wrong rear label, that there could be a serious or even life-threatening issue upon consumption.

This alert covers aprons Bacon-Cheddar Smothered Chicken with a use by date of 9/21/2022. They were sold only at Publix stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. A recall wasn’t issued because the meals, in 12-ounce metal containers, no longer are for sale.

If you have one of these meals and there’s no chance someone with an egg allergy will eat it, carry on as normal. If someone with an egg allergy might eat it, throw it out or return it to the Publix of purchase for a refund.

If you have questions about this, call Tampa Bay Fisheries Retail Compliance Manager Diana Butz, Retail Compliance Manager at 813-752-8883, ext. 208.

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