Washington, D.C. — Federal food safety officials have issued a public health alert for a packaged Curry Chicken Salad product after routine testing raised concerns that it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium capable of causing serious illness.
Although the product is no longer available for sale, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is warning consumers that some packages could still be stored in home refrigerators.
USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Curry Chicken Salad
The FSIS announced the health alert on July 29, 2026, after identifying concerns about possible Listeria contamination in a batch of Curry Chicken Salad.
Officials said a product recall was not requested because the affected items are no longer available for purchase in retail stores. However, the agency believes some consumers may still have the product at home.
As a precaution, anyone who purchased the affected chicken salad is strongly advised not to eat it.
Here’s How to Identify the Affected Product
According to the agency, the affected product was produced on July 22, 2026 and comes in 8-ounce plastic packages labeled:
“CURRY CHICKEN SALAD”
Consumers should also check for the following identifying information:
- Use-by date: 07/30/2026
- Establishment number: P-39928 inside the USDA mark of inspection
The product was distributed to retail locations in Oregon and Washington. Anyone who still has the chicken salad should dispose of it immediately or return it to the store where it was purchased.
No Illnesses Reported, but Officials Urge Caution
Federal officials said the issue was discovered during routine establishment testing. At this time, no confirmed illnesses have been linked to the affected product.
Even so, the FSIS issued the alert because Listeria can continue to survive and grow under refrigeration, meaning products stored in consumers’ refrigerators may still pose a health risk.
The agency also advised anyone who believes they may have become ill after eating the product to contact a healthcare provider promptly.
What Is Listeria and Why Is It Dangerous?
Listeria monocytogenes is a disease-causing bacterium commonly found in soil, water, sewage, decaying vegetation, and animals. Unlike many other bacteria, it can survive and multiply even at refrigerator temperatures.
Eating contaminated food can lead to listeriosis, a potentially serious infection.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms
The infection can become especially dangerous when it spreads beyond the digestive system.
Certain Groups Face Higher Risk
Health officials say older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of severe illness from listeriosis.
For pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborn babies.
Older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems may also develop serious or even fatal infections if exposed.
While healthy individuals generally experience milder illness, federal health officials continue to recommend avoiding any potentially contaminated food products.
Consumers in Oregon and Washington who purchased the affected Curry Chicken Salad should check their refrigerators and discard or return the product immediately if it matches the published information.
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