The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for over 211,000 pounds of ground turkey products because they may have caused Salmonella illnesses in 12 states.
The ground turkey products were produced by the Pennsylvania company, Plainville Brands, LLC, between Dec. 18, and Dec. 29, 2020. A recall was not issued since it’s been four months since the products were produced and “it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase. ” However, they could be frozen in consumer’s freezers.
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Of the 28 confirmed Salmonella cases since Dec. 28, 2020, at least one has identified eating the ground turkey, and an unopened package collected from their home tested positive for the bacteria. “Evidence collected to date does not link all illnesses to this establishment,” the alert says. “Based on the continuing investigation, additional product from other establishments may be involved.”
The products include 1- and 3-pounds packages of ground turkey under the names Nature’s Promise, Wegman, and Plainville Farms. They were sold at retail locations across the country. The FSIS is urging people not to consume any of the products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase where they will be destroyed immediately. To see each of the products, go to the FSIS website.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, stomach cramping, and a fever. They can start in as little as 12 hours after consumption and can last for 7 days. In older adults, infants, and those with compromised immune systems, the infection can develop into a severe illness. Ensuring you’re cooking meat to the right temperature (in this case, over 165 degrees Fahrenheit) can help prevent foodborne illnesses, FSIS says.
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