USDA's FSIS issues a public health warning Monday after around 278 cases of Salmonella Heidelberg were reported across 18 states. The cases were linked to consumption of raw chicken produced at Foster Farms facilities in CA and distributed to CA, WA and OR. FSIS says the illnesses cannot be linked to a specific product or production period.

Foster Farms released a statement saying it has not initiated a recall, and cautioning consumers to use proper food handling techniques when cooking chicken. “While the company, FSIS and CDC continue to investigate the issue, Foster Farms has instituted a number of additional food safety practices, processes and technology throughout company facilities that have already proven effective in controlling Salmonella in its Pacific Northwest operations earlier this year,” the company states.