Cargill recalls ground turkey over salmonella fears (FULL PRODUCT LIST)
(CBS/AP)Cargill executives are talking turkey after the meat producer recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey over a salmonella outbreak that sickened 76 people, killing one.
"It is regrettable that people may have become ill from eating one of our ground turkey products," Steve Willardsen, president of Cargill's turkey processing business said in a statement. "And for anyone who did, we are truly sorry."
The USDA and the Minnesota-based meat giant announced Wednesday evening that the recall would include fresh and frozen ground turkey products produced at the company's Springdale, Ark., plant from Feb. 20 through Aug. 2.
Experts say it's one of the largest meat recalls ever.
Despite the voluntary recall, the USDA and CDC are still working to identify the source. Prior to Wednesday's announcement, Dr. Christopher Braden, epidemiologist at the CDC, said leftover turkey in a package at a victim's house was confirmed to contain the strain of salmonella linked to the outbreak,
Cargill suspended all ground turkey production at the Springdale plant until the company determines the source of the contamination.
Illnesses have occurred every month since early March, with spikes in May and early June although some cases may not have been reported yet. The CDC said the strain is resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics, which makes treatment more difficult.
The states reporting the highest number sickened are Michigan and Ohio, with 10 each. Texas has reported nine illnesses; Illinois, seven; California, six; and Pennsylvania, five.
Other states with at least one illness are Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
The recall affects more than 25 different types of ground turkey. All of the packages in question contain the code "Est. P-963," according to Cargill. The packages were labeled with many different brands, including popular ones like Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms.
Here is the full list of recalled products:
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
Consumers with questions about this recall should contact Cargill's consumer relations toll free telephone number at 1-888-812-1646.
Even if you purchased contaminated ground turkey, the government says it's safe to eat if it is cooked to 165 degrees. It's also important that consumers wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling the meat. Turkey and other meats should also be properly refrigerated or frozen and leftovers heated.
The most common symptoms of salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight to 72 hours of eating a contaminated product. It can be life-threatening to some with weakened immune systems.
Visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service website for more.
