The Ministry of Health and Wellness says  members of the public should not consume chicken products  that washed up along the Hellshire shore in  St. Catherine recently.

The ministry further cautions that the products which originated in Brazil, and were not intended for trade or distribution in Jamaica, have been exposed to the open sea compromising their safety.

The ministry says food safety regulations require poultry to be kept at the correct temperature at all stages of transport and storage to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. 

It says while afloat, the chicken products were not maintained under proper temperature control, posing significant food safety risks.

The ministry says moreover, the affected products were manufactured on October 24, 2024, and may have been subject to significant temperature abuse during their time awash in the sea. 

It says consumption of improperly handled poultry can lead to foodborne illnesses, including  salmonella and campylobacter infections, which can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.