HEALTH ALERT: Salmonella in recalled ground turkey

Macon County Public Health issues alert for salmonella in recalled ground turkey

An official recall has been issued for ground turkey products. Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a Springdale, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 36 million pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella. The full recall notice can be accessed here:

www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_060_2011_Release/index.asp.

The North Carolina Environmental Health Division, as well as local health departments, is staying updated on the situation. All local health departments across the state are on alert for salmonellarelated illnesses due to consumption of ground turkey. In Macon County, local health inspectors are checking their food establishments to make sure no potentially contaminated ground turkey is present or in use.

Salmonella in healthy people often causes fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Salmonella can cause serious infections in young children, elderly, or people with weakened immune systems.

There are ways consumers can reduce their risk of getting salmonella from ground turkey. Some of these include the following:

Cook all poultry products, including ground turkey, to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F for 15 seconds.

Do not use any ground turkey with damaged packaging Refrigerate unused or leftover foods containing ground turkey promptly

Always wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw ground turkey.

For additional information, contact Macon County Public Health at (828)349-2081.

These following products were distributed at the retail level nationwide: The products subject to recall today bear the establishment number "P-963" inside the USDA mark of inspection, and include the following:

Ground Turkey Chubs - Use or Freeze by Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

10 lb. chubs of Honeysuckle White Fresh Natural Lean Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings

10 lb. chubs of Unbranded Ground Turkey w/ Natural Flavoring 2 Pack

80 oz. (5 lbs.) chubs of Riverside Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring

10 lb. chubs of Natural Lean Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Fresh Lean HEB Ground Turkey 93/7

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Fresh HEB Ground Turkey 85/15

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Fresh Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring

4-1 Pound Packages of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring Value Pack

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Fresh Ground Turkey

48 oz. (3 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Fresh Ground Turkey

85% Ground Turkey - Use or Freeze by Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey

19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey Colored with Paprika

19.2 oz. (1 lb. 3.2 oz.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15

48.0 oz. (3 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15

20 oz. (1.25 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey

48.0 oz. (3 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey Family Pack

16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey

19.2 oz. (1.2 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White Seasoned Italian Style Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings

20 oz. (1 lb. 4 oz.) trays of Safeway Fresh Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings * 15% Fat (NOTE: Sold in Texas only at Randall's and Tom Thumb, Use or Freeze by 03/12/11 through 05/05/11)

93% Ground Turkey - Use or Freeze by Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

19.2 oz. (1.20 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey

48 oz. (3.0 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey Family Pack

19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Fit & Active Lean Ground Turkey 93/07

19.2 oz. (1.2 lbs.) trays of Giant Eagle Ground Turkey Fresh & Premium Lean

19.2 oz. (1 lb 3.2 oz.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh Lean 93/7

20 oz. (1.25 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey

Ground Patties

16.0 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey Patties with "Use by" or "Freeze by" dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Seasoned Turkey Patties Fresh 85/15, with "Use by" or "Freeze by" dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

16.0 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Shady Brook Farms Ground Turkey Burgers with Natural Flavoring with the following "Use by" or "Freeze by" dates: 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

Frozen Ground Turkey - Production Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/2/11

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Spartan Ground Turkey

48 oz. (3 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey

40 lb. Bulk Packed Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring for Food Service Use Only