Top 5 Takeaways

1. Survey Findings: Over half of the survey respondents used appliances other than ovens to cook frozen stuffed chicken products, with 29% using microwaves. Notably, lower-income respondents and those living in mobile homes reported higher microwave use and lower oven use.
2. Public Health Implications: Economic factors and living conditions may limit access to recommended cooking appliances. The study suggests that interventions should focus on reducing reliance on consumer preparation practices for food safety.
3. Cooking Practices and Risks: Microwave, air fryers, and toaster ovens were reported as common cooking methods, but these may not consistently heat the products, posing a risk of Salmonella infection. Lack of awareness about appliance wattage and proper cooking methods was also noted.
4. Barriers to Safe Preparation: Economic constraints, lack of space for conventional ovens in mobile homes, and convenience of microwaves contribute to the choice of cooking appliance. However, these choices may compromise food safety.
5. Recommendations for Action: The report suggests that companies should explore alternatives to relying on consumer practices, like selling fully cooked products or enhanced testing for Salmonella, to ensure safety.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Katherine E. Marshall, uwj0@cdc.gov, 404-639-4405.

Suggested Citation

Marshall KE, Canning M, Ablan M, Crawford TN, Robyn M. Appliances Used by Consumers to Prepare Frozen Stuffed Chicken Products — United States, May–July 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1511–1516.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7148a2 .

Summary

This MMWR article discusses the results of a survey analyzing consumer practices in preparing frozen stuffed chicken products. The survey revealed that over half of the participants used cooking appliances other than ovens, such as microwaves, air fryers, and toaster ovens. This is significant because these products, often appearing cooked due to partial pre-cooking, actually require thorough cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe for consumption.

Methods

The SummerStyles survey, conducted by Porter Novelli Public Services, used a representative panel survey with participants recruited nationwide. The survey included questions about the types of appliances used for cooking frozen stuffed chicken products and knowledge about microwave wattage.

Discussion

The discussion highlights the challenges consumers face in safely preparing these products. Economic factors and living conditions affect appliance choice, which in turn influences food safety. The study also points out that relying solely on consumer adherence to cooking instructions may not be sufficient to prevent Salmonella infections.

Conclusion

The findings emphasize the need for additional measures to ensure the safe preparation of frozen stuffed chicken products. Manufacturers are encouraged to consider interventions beyond consumer-focused labeling and cooking instructions, such as selling fully cooked products or enhancing Salmonella monitoring and testing.

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