Ground Turkey Focus of Recall, Agriculture Commissioner Warns

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
9/14/2011?
Consumers and distributors should check their refrigerators for ground turkey products recently recalled by Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., according to West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass.

“This is a good reminder to consumers to thoroughly cook any and all ground meat products,” said Commissioner Douglass. “Any contamination that may be on the surface of larger cuts of meat can be mixed into ground products, making it harder for heat to penetrate and kill any dangerous organisms.”

He added that consumers should wash their hands with warm water and soap after handling raw meat to avoid cross-contaminating other items in the kitchen. A meat thermometer should be used to make sure the proper cooking temperature is reached, poultry being 165 degrees. He also noted that West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) inspectors are informed of all recalls and check for recalled products during store visits.

Cargill issued a recall September 11 for 185,000 pounds of ground turkey products that were distributed nationwide on concern that they might be contaminated with an antibiotic-resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg.

No illnesses have been reported in connection to this recall, but consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause serious illness, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms occur within 6-to-72 hours of exposure and can last up to seven days. In severe cases, Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

The products subject to recall include:

Fresh Ground Turkey Chubs
16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Fresh HEB Ground Turkey 85/15 with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/12/2011, 09/13/2011, 09/19/2011 and 09/20/2011. 16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Fresh Ground Turkey with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/19/2011, 09/20/2011 and 09/21/2011. 19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/10/2011 and 09/12/2011. 48.0 oz. (3 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15 with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/17/2011, 09/18/2011 and 09/19/2011. 48.0 oz. (3 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey Family Pack with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/11/2011, 09/12/2011, 09/13/2011, 09/15/2011, 09/17/2011 and 09/18/2011. 16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey with a Use or Freeze by Date of 09/11/2011.

Fresh Ground Turkey Patties

16.0 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey Patties with a Use or Freeze by Date of 09/18/2011. 16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Seasoned Turkey Patties Fresh 85/15 with a Use or Freeze by Date of 09/17/2011.
The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “P-963” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on August 23, 24, 30 and 31 of this year.

Consumers who have recalled products should return them to the store where they were purchased. Consumers with questions about this recall should contact Cargill at 1-888-812-1646. Media with questions should be directed to Mike Martin at michael_martin@cargill.com or 316-291-2126.

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Buddy Davidson, Communications Officer?
304-558-3708; 304-541-5932 (cell) ?
bdavidson@ag.state.wv.us?
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