The popular brand Jennie-O is recalling over 91,000 pounds (46 tons) of raw ground turkey products because it may be connected to an ongoing multistate Salmonella outbreak. It had been previously reported that health officials had no plans to name any meat processing plant in connection to the outbreak.
The products at the center of the recall, including varieties of lean and seasoned raw ground turkey, were produced on September 11, 2018, and were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Arizona Department of Health Services, along with various other health partners, have been conducting a traceback investigation which included an unopened package of Jennie-O meat that a patient still had at home. That patient testing positive for the Salmonella Reading outbreak strain. So did the patient’s meat sample.
An official statement from Jennie-O reads:
“On behalf of the thousands of Jennie-O team members, we were concerned to learn that someone became ill after exposure to Salmonella in a raw turkey product. The turkey industry has been working together for many years to reduce Salmonella. Despite these efforts, this particular Salmonella strain can be found in 29 different manufacturing plants from 19 different companies, according to government agencies. We know the issue of Salmonella isn’t specific to Jennie-O, and to that end, we plan on continuing our leadership role in the effort to reduce Salmonella and educate consumers on how to safely handle and prepare raw turkey and are calling on others in the industry to do the same. We will continue to collaborate on industry best practices with our peers in the turkey industry. As always, turkey remains safe to consume when handled and prepared properly. Jennie-O has information available on its website with step-by-step instructions on how to safely prepare and enjoy turkey.”
The latest outbreak numbers available indicate that 164 people have fallen ill in 35 states. Individuals have reported either eating various types and brands of turkey products, or handling raw turkey in some form, working with live turkeys, or living with someone who handled live turkeys.
FSIS, the CDC, and state public health and agriculture partners, have been working together on an illness cluster involving 164 case-patients in 35 states. Patients have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different stores, handling raw turkey pet food and/or raw turkey, or working with live turkeys or living with someone who handled live turkeys. FSIS continues to work with the CDC and state health departments on this investigation and will provide updated information as it becomes available. Based on the continuing investigation, additional product from other companies may also be recalled.
You can view images of recalled products at FSIS.USDA.gov. FSIS continues to work with the CDC and state health departments on this investigation and will provide updated information as it becomes available. Based on the continuing investigation, additional product from other companies may also be recalled.
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