Costco recalls chicken fried rice combo for Prairies, Western Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is asking consumers to check their freezers after Costco Canada issued a recall for a chicken and rice combo due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Costco decided to pull Ajinomoto brand yakitori chicken with Japanese-style fried rice from shelves due contamination fears, the CFIA said in a post from May 9. 

The recalled product comes in 1.53 kilogram packages, and includes the universal product code "0 71757 05642 8" as well as the best-before stamp "BB/MA 16 JL 01 to 17 MA 07."

Costco administration said samples of the product were also handed out to patrons for free at some locations, the CFIA said.

Anyone who bought the chicken and rice is asked to throw it out or return it to the store where it was purchased.

A recall in another country prompted the Canadian recall, but there aren't yet any known cases of illnesses related to the product in Canada, the CFIA added.

More information is available through Ajinomoto Windsor Inc. at 1-855-742-5011 or by filling out the CFIA's online feedback form.

Listeria is a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, which can be serious for pregnant women, older adults and people with impaired immune systems, Health Canada information says. It can survive refrigeration and freezing.

• Did you know Listeria can grow on the food in your freezer?

Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, vomiting, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, severe headache and constipation.

The recall comes just days after Costco pulled three kinds of Organic by Nature frozen vegetables following Listeria contamination concerns.

• Costco's Listeria recall expands to include Organic by Nature frozen sweet peas​

The fried rice product may include frozen vegetables affected by that recall.