Tag: ground turkey

Jennie-O ground turkey linked to deadly Salmonella outbreak

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC (Jennie-O) is recalling more than 45 tons (approximately 91,388 pounds) of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multidrug-resistant Salmonella Reading strain.

The Salmonella was recovered from an unopened package of Jennie-O raw ground turkey obtained from the home of an outbreak victim. The strain was a genetic match to the Salmonella Reading strain that has killed one person and sickened at least 164 people in 35 states.

The following recalled products were produced on September 11, 2018 and shipped to retail locations nationwide:

  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 93% LEAN | 7% FAT” with “Use by” dates of 10/01/2018 and 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O TACO SEASONED GROUND TURKEY” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 85% LEAN | 15% FAT” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O ITALIAN SEASONED GROUND TURKEY” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.

All of the recalled packages bear the establishment number P-190 inside the USDA mark of inspection. 

According to CDC, outbreak victims have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Three ill people lived in households where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) cautions that additional product from other companies may also be recalled.

CDC offers the following advice to consumers and retailers

Always handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw turkey products can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and can make you sick.

CDC is not advising that consumers avoid eating properly cooked turkey products, or that retailers stop selling raw turkey products.

CDC advises consumers to follow these steps to help prevent Salmonella infection from raw turkey:

  • Wash your hands. Salmonella infections can spread from one person to another. Wash hands before and after preparing or eating food, after contact with animals, and after using the restroom or changing diapers.
  • Cook raw turkey thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Turkey breasts, whole turkeys, and ground poultry, including turkey burgers, casseroles, and sausage, should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check, and place it in the thickest part of the food.
  • Don’t spread germs from raw turkey around food preparation areas. Washing raw poultry before cooking is not recommended. Germs in raw poultry juices can spread to other areas and foods. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw turkey. Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey and other raw meats if possible.
  • Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water that is changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave. Never thaw your turkey by leaving it out on the counter.
  • CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets. Germs like Salmonella in raw pet food can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.

Cargill’s Profits Up 35%

Finally, some good news for the 78 or more victims of Cargill’s Salmonella Heidelberg-contaminated ground turkey. With its annual profits up 35% from last year, the meat and poultry producer is well able to compensate outbreak victims generously.

Last week, Cargill recalled nearly 36 million pounds of ground turkey products after CDC and USDA linked the illnesses to the company’s Springdale, Arkansas production facility. The recall covers ground turkey meat labelled with “Use By” dates of February 20, 2011 onward.

The 78 confirmed outbreak victims are scattered over 26 states, including AL (1), AZ (2), CA (6), GA (2), IA (1), IL (7), IN (1), KY (2), LA (1), MA (1), MI (10), MN (1), MO (2), MS (1), NC (1), NE (2), NV (1), NY (2), OH (10), OK (1), OR (1), PA (5), SD (3), TN (2), TX (9), and WI (3). Twenty-two people were hospitalized, and one of the 78 victims died.

There does not appear to be any rhyme or reason to the distribution of illnesses, as the recalled products were sold nationwide.

Bill Tomson, writing in the Wall Street Journal, reported yesterday that USDA knew about the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg in Cargill’s Springdale plant last year. The agency “brought the findings to the attention of the facility,” Tomson reports.

USDA claims to have both hands tied behind its back when it comes to taking enforcement action on Salmonella contamination in raw meat and poultry. The agency blames a federal appeal court ruing that followed USDA’s 1999 attempt to shut down a Texas ground-beef plant. As Tomson’s article reminds us, the appeal court ruled that Salmonella was naturally occurring and didn’t present a threat as long as the meat was cooked thoroughly.

While the federal appeals court ruling is a convenient excuse for inaction on the part of USDA, the agency easily could have sidestepped the legal hurdle by declaring Salmonella an adulterant – AS IT DID WITH E. COLI O157:H7 – and as it has the power to do with any pathogen.

Or would that ruffle too many industry feathers?

Bill Marler, Fred Pritzker, and other personal injury attorneys take note. US consumers are now relying on you to enforce our food safety laws. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is impotent.

Tracking The Recalled Ground Turkey – Update #2

Yesterday, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation (Springdale, AR) recalled approximately 36 million pounds of fresh and frozen raw, ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multi-antibiotic resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg.

The drug-resistant strain is responsible for one death and at least 77 illnesses in 26 states across the USA since the beginning of March.

Cargill has sent recall notices to its customers, and retail chains are responding. Following is a list of grocery and supermarket chains that are affected by the Cargill recall. For additional stores affected by this recall, please refer to the USDA’s retail distribution list, referenced below.

  • ALDI.- Fit & Active fresh ground turkey product (19.2 ounce white tray pack with a UPC code of 041498180324)
  • Baker’s.- See news release for details.
  • Big Y.- Shady Brook Fresh Turkey Burgers, 16 oz (Use or Freeze By: 07/09/11, 07/10/11, 07/11/11, 07/15/11, 07/16/11, 07/21/11, 07/22/11, 07/24/11, 08/01/11, or 08/04/11)
  • Brookshire’s food & pharmacy.- Honeysuckle 93/7 Ground Turkey Tray packed 1.2 lb (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 0062205501045; Honeysuckle Ground Turkey Patties (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00642205509201; Honeysuckle Ground Turkey Chub 16 oz (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00642205546077; Honeysuckle Ground Turkey Chub 16 oz frozen (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00038057500914; Honeysuckle 85/15 Ground Turkey Tray packed 3 lb (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00642205535255.
  • Buehler’s Fresh Foods.- Honeysuckle Ground Turkey – fresh and frozen
  • City Market.- See news release for details.
  • Dillons.- See news release for details.
  • Food 4 Less.- See news release for details.
  • Foods Co.- See news release for details.
  • Fry’s.- See news release for details.
  • Gerbes.- See news release for details.
  • Giant Eagle.- Honeysuckle and Giant Eagle brands of ground turkey. Please see Giant Eagle web site for complete list.
  • Giant Stores.- Shady Brook Farms Ground Turkey Burgers with Natural Flavorings, 16-oz. (Best if use by dates 7/9/2011; 7/16/2011; 7/24/2011; & 8/1/2011).
  • Hannaford.- Shady Brook Fresh Turkey Burgers, 16 oz., UPC #7232200309.
  • H-E-B.- (Affected products not specified).
  • Hilander.- See news release for details.
  • Hy-Vee.- Honeysuckle White brand fresh ground turkey sold in trays or rolls, as well as fresh ground turkey purchased from the service meat case (Use or Freeze By” dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11).
  • Ingles Supermarkets.- Honeysuckle White brand: Item #93280 85% Lean Ground Turkey Meat; Item #93281 93% Lean Ground Turkey Meat; Item #93450 Ground Turkey patties (‘Use or Freeze By’ dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11).
  • Jay C.- See news release for details.
  • King Soopers.- See news release for details.
  • Kroger.- See news release for details.
  • Meijer.- Locations in MI, IL, KY, IN and OH
  • Owen’s.- See news release for details.
  • Pay Less.- See news release for details.
  • Price Chopper.- Shady Brook Farms Turkey Burgers (UPC 7232200307, 7232200309)
  • Ralphs.- See news release for details.
  • Randalls.- Safeway Fresh Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings – 15% Fat (Use or Freeze By dates of 03/12/11 through 04/30/11).
  • Scott’s.- See news release for details.
  • Shop-Rite.- Shady Brook Farms Ground Turkey Burgers, 16 oz., UPC 07232200309. All recalled products bear the Establishment #P-963 with use or freeze by dates of July 9, 2011; July 10, 2011; July 11, 2011; July 15, 2011; July 16, 2011; July 21, 2011; July 22, 2011; July 24, 2011; August 1, 2011; and August 4, 2011.
  • Smith’s (Arizona, New Mexico, and Las Vegas, NV only).- See news release for details.
  • Stater Bros.- Locations in California.
  • Super1Foods.- Honeysuckle 93/7 Ground Turkey Tray packed 1.2 lb (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 0062205501045; Honeysuckle Ground Turkey Patties (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00642205509201; Honeysuckle Ground Turkey Chub 16 oz (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00642205546077; Honeysuckle Ground Turkey Chub 16 oz frozen (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00038057500914; Honeysuckle 85/15 Ground Turkey Tray packed 3 lb (batch/lot – use or freeze by dates 2/20/11 through 8/23/11), UPC 00642205535255.
  • Tom Thumb.- Safeway Fresh Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings – 15% Fat (Use or Freeze By dates of 03/12/11 through 04/30/11).
  • U.S. Foodservice.- A small number of foodservice customers were affected.
  • Walmart Stores.- (Affected products not specified)
  • WinCo Foods.- Honeysuckle ground turkey products

The following grocery chains are unaffected by this recall:

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted a retail distribution list, which will be updated as more information is given to the agency by Cargill.

The California Department of Public Health has posted a retail distribution list of all grocery stores in the state that are involved in the recall.

Please check back with eFoodAlert periodically, as I shall continue to update this list.