newjerseynewsroom.com

Salmonella outbreak is drug resistant

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

In the third-largest meat recall in history, meat producer Cargill has recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey over a salmonella outbreak that made 77 people ill, and killed another in 26 states.

According to CNN, federal health authorities said that an outbreak of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg appears to have been traced to the recalled turkey products.

Minnesota Public Radio, where Cargill is based, questions the timing on the recall. They pointed out that the first salmonella illness was in March and the first signs of an outbreak came in May. Dr. Christopher Braden, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and David Goldman of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said that authorities weren't certain about the source until July, when it was identified through shopper's card information from victims who had purchased Cargill turkeys, and a leftover turkey sample of turkey from a victim's home. They said previous evidence had also pointed to other companies besides Cargill.

This recall affects fresh and frozen ground turkey products produced at the company's Springdale, Arkansas plant between Feb. 20 and Aug. 2.

CBS News reports the recall affects more than 25 different types of ground turkey. All packages contain the code "Est. P-963," according to Cargill. 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. (chubs of Riverside Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring

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

16 oz. chubs of Fresh Lean HEB Ground Turkey 93/7

16 oz. chubs of Fresh HEB Ground Turkey 85/15

16 oz. 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. chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Fresh Ground Turkey

48 oz. 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. trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey

19.2 oz. trays of Honeysuckle White Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey Colored with Paprika

19.2 oz. trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15

48.0 oz. trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15

20 oz. trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey

48.0 oz. trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey Family Pack

16 oz. trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey

19.2 oz. trays of Honeysuckle White Seasoned Italian Style Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings

20 oz. trays of Safeway Fresh Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings * 15% Fat

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

19.2 oz. trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey

48 oz. trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey Family Pack

19.2 oz. trays of Fit & Active Lean Ground Turkey 93/07

19.2 oz. trays of Giant Eagle Ground Turkey Fresh & Premium Lean

19.2 oz. trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh Lean 93/7

20 oz trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey