Cargill recalls 36 million pounds of ground turkey


Wichita, Kan. — Cargill Value Added Meats Retail is voluntarily recalling about 36 million pounds of fresh and frozen ground turkey in response to an outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg that has infected at least 77 people in 26 states.

Cargill initiated the recall Aug. 3, following an internal investigation and the release of information by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Aug. 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) also is investigating multiple illnesses from Salmonella Heidelberg.

According to CDC, the outbreak began on March 9 and 49 percent of those infected reported eating ground turkey before becoming sick. One death has resulted form the outbreak, according to CDC, and 38 percent of those infected have been hospitalized.

USDA-FSIS released a public health alert for frozen or fresh ground turkey products July 29, reminding consumers to use general food safety guidelines and cook turkey products to a 165°F internal temperature.

In addition to recalling product already on the market, Cargill says it has suspended production of ground turkey products at its Springdale, Ark., turkey processing facility until it is able to determine the source of the Salmonella Heidelberg and take corrective actions. Three other Cargill turkey processing facilities in the U.S. are not affected by the recall, nor are other turkey products beside ground turkey.

All the recalled items are ground turkey, and packaging includes Est. P-963 on the label. The following is a full list of the recalled items:Ground Turkey Chubs—Use or Freeze by Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

• 10 lbs. Chubs of Honeysuckle White Fresh Natural Lean Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings

• 10 lbs. Chubs of Unbranded Ground Turkey w/ Natural Flavoring 2 Pack

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

• 10 lb. Chub 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

• 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 (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, Use 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, Use 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

(Note: Only the following Freeze by Date are affected: 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 and 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 are urged to return any opened or unopened packages of these ground turkey items to stores where they were purchased for a full refund. Questions can be directed to Cargill at 888/812-1646.