The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has ordered the recall of approximately 2 million pounds of ground turkey products produced by Jennie-O Turkey Store after Salmonella was detected in multiple production samples. The recall covers fresh and frozen ground turkey sold under various brand names at grocery stores in 38 states.
FSIS reports that 63 illnesses across 19 states have been linked to the contaminated products, with 11 hospitalizations. The outbreak strain has been identified as Salmonella Hadar, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness lasting four to seven days in healthy adults and poses greater risks to young children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised persons.
Consumers are advised to check their freezers for affected products bearing the establishment number P-579 and to discard or return them for a full refund. Thoroughly cooking ground turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills Salmonella bacteria.
