Ground turkey recalled again over salmonella fears (FULL DETAILS)
(CBS/AP) Cargill has issued a recall of about 185,000 pounds of ground turkey over fears the meat may be tainted with salmonella.
The recall, which was announced on Sunday, came after a test revealed salmonella bacteria in a sample from the same Arkansas plant tied to a recall issued last month.
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The second recall is much smaller than the one the company issued Aug. 3, which involved 36 million pounds of ground turkey. That recall followed a salmonella outbreak that federal health officials said had sickened 107 people in 31 states, killing one person.
No illnesses have been tied to the second recall, which was initiated after the positive test at the company's plant in Springdale, Ark., the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.
Cargill halted production of ground turkey products at the plant Aug. 2 in anticipation of the recall announced the following day, spokesman Mike Martin said. Equipment was disassembled and cleaned. Limited production resumed Aug. 10 after the USDA approved additional antibacterial safety measures, he said.
The sample that tested positive for salmonella was taken Aug. 24, the USDA said. It was the same strain of salmonella tied to the earlier illnesses, the agency said.
Ground turkey production at the Springdale plant has been suspended again while the Minnesota-based company looks at what other safety procedures might be needed, Martin said. Production of other products, such as whole turkeys, continues, he said.
The second recall involves trays of ground meat, patties and chubs, the USDA said. The products were distributed nationwide under the Kroger, Fresh HEB and Cargill's Honeysuckle White brands.
All ground turkey made at the Springdale plant has "P-963" or "963" on the package, in a USDA seal or perhaps on the cellophane, Martin said. Consumers who bought products bearing that identification number can call 888-812-1646 for instructions on what to do, he said.
The recall covers products made Aug. 23 and 24. Cargill also is recalling ground turkey made on Aug. 30 and 31 pending a positive match with a sample, the USDA said.
Fifty million Americans get sick each year from food poisoning, including about 3,000 who die. Salmonella causes most of these illnesses. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight to 72 hours of eating a contaminated product.
Government officials say even contaminated ground turkey is safe to eat if cooked to 165 degrees. But it's also important that raw meat be handled properly before it's cooked and that people wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling it. Turkey and other meats should also be properly refrigerated or frozen and leftovers heated.