Health officials advise: Be careful with raw chicken entrees

Minnesota consumers are being urged to handle raw chicken entrees carefully.

Seven people have contracted salmonella infections in recent months after eating frozen, stuffed chicken entrees. Four of the victims were hospitalized and recovered.

Some consumers used a microwave or toaster oven to cook the products, which aren't sufficient to kill salmonella, said Carlota Medus, Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist. Others may have been lax about washing their hands after handling the pre-browned products, she said.

"You know, even though the label does say raw, when you look at it and handle it, it doesn't look or feel or seem like a raw product," she said. "It seems totally safe to touch."

The first outbreak appeared in April and was linked to Barber Foods Chicken Kiev. The other outbreak started in May and involved Antioch Farms brand Cordon Bleu.

There have now been nine outbreaks of salmonella infection linked to raw, frozen chicken products since 1998, according to the health department.