Chicken salad from the Ingles on Highway 515 in Blairsville is now at the center of a possible Salmonella contamination, and state officials are telling shoppers to get those items out of their kitchens immediately. The warning covers deli rotisserie chicken salad, gourmet grape chicken salad and a range of grab-and-go items, including prepackaged sandwiches, croissants, pitas and snack dippers.
What officials said
As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has issued a consumer advisory for items prepared in-store at the Ingles on Highway 515 in Blairsville. Customers are being told not to eat any of the affected products and to throw them away.
FOX 5 Atlanta notes that anyone who has eaten the listed items and is experiencing symptoms consistent with Salmonella should seek medical care and contact state public health authorities.
Symptoms and what to do
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, a Salmonella infection can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain and, in rare cases, may spread to the bloodstream.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that symptoms typically begin 6 to 72 hours after exposure. Most people recover within several days, but infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness.
Anyone who ate the affected Ingles products and is feeling sick is urged to contact a health care provider and notify the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Where the items were sold
The advisory currently targets a single Ingles store in Blairsville. Ingles Markets lists the location as 23 Highway 515.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture maintains a public recalls and alerts page and has indicated it will post expanded advisories if additional products or locations are identified.
Precautions for shoppers
Public health officials are reminding shoppers to follow the USDA/FSIS “Four Steps” when handling ready-to-eat foods: clean, separate, cook and chill. They also advise throwing out perishable foods if there is any doubt about their safety.
For questions about symptoms or to report a possible foodborne illness, contact your health care provider or the Georgia Department of Public Health.
