Chicken product from Kent company recalled

Chicken burgers made in Kent and distributed nationally through Trader Joe's supermarkets are being recalled after consumers complained about finding pieces of plastic and bone in their burgers, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Approximately 13,775 pounds of ground chicken products, produced by Lucy's Enterprises in Kent, may contain the foreign materials. Trader Joe's is now recalling 16-ounce packages of Trader Joe's Chile Lime Chicken Burgers with the date code "3158" embossed on the side of each box. Labels bear the number "P-8276" inside the USDA mark of inspection, the release says. The burgers were produced on Nov. 10.

"We do have a few ideas" about what caused the problem "but I can't comment until we are completely sure," said Andrew Sorba, vice president of operations at Lucy's Enterprises. He declined to say what steps the company is taking to prevent future incidents, but said consumers can be "very confident" that the company's food products are safe.

Lucy's Enterprises, which produces approximately 50 products, was established more than 20 years ago, Sorba said. The company produces three items exclusively for Trader Joe's, but other than the chile lime chicken burgers, Sorba wouldn't say what those products are. He also declined to say how many employees make up the company's work force.

A spokeswoman for Trader Joe's was not immediately available for comment.

Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com