Poland-Exported Frozen Chicken Breast Found with Salmonella（Oct 15）

Poland-Exported Frozen Chicken Breast Found with Salmonella

According to the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), on October 13, 2026, Italy notified through RASFF that frozen chicken breast exported from Poland was non-compliant. The specific notification details are as follows:

Notification Details

Notification Date: October 13, 2026

Notifying Country: Italy

Notified Product: Frozen chicken breast

Reference Number: 2026.9066

Notification Reason: Detection of Salmonella

Sales Status / Measures Taken: Product no longer placed on market / confiscated; physical treatment - heat treatment

Notification Type: Information notification for attention

Background

Salmonella is one of the most common foodborne pathogens, primarily transmitted through contaminated poultry meat, eggs, and dairy products. Infection can cause symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, and may pose severe health risks to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The EU has established strict microbiological criteria for Salmonella in poultry products under Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005, requiring absence of Salmonella in 25g samples for certain poultry categories.

Industry Impact

This is not an isolated incident for Polish poultry exports. In August 2026, Czechia also notified through RASFF that chilled chicken breasts from Poland were found to contain Salmonella Infantis (reference 2026.7532). In September 2026, another notification (reference 2026.8072) reported Salmonella Infantis in chilled chicken breasts from Poland, notified by Czechia. These repeated notifications highlight ongoing challenges in Poland's poultry processing hygiene standards and suggest systemic issues in cold chain management and processing controls.

Export enterprises are reminded to strictly comply with EU member state requirements for product exports, pay close attention to the presence of various pathogenic bacteria in products, ensure product safety, and mitigate export risks.