Minnesota-based poultry producer Jennie-O Turkey Store has recalled more than 164,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall was announced as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 52 new cases of illness associated with the outbreak.
The Jennie-O Turkey Store products have markings saying to use or freeze by Nov. 12 or 13 and includes plain ground turkey and turkey with taco or Italian seasonings. The recalled packages are marked on the side with establishment number P-579 and were sold in 1-pound, 2.5-pound and 3-pound packages.
The products were shipped to Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.
So far, the total number of illnesses has amounted to 216 people across 38 states since the outbreak began in November 2017. Eighty-four people have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported.
Additionally, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported that as of Friday, there have been 22 cases of illness in four provinces. Five patients have been hospitalized, and one person died.
The CDC is currently investigating, saying, “The outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading is present in live turkeys and in many types of raw turkey products, indicating it might be widespread in the turkey industry.”
Steve Lykken, Jennie-O Turkey Store’s president, said the company has made operational changes, including vaccinating turkeys to protect them from salmonella.
By: Maytinee Kramer
