USDA issues public health alert for more than 211,000 pounds of ground turkey for possible salmonella risk

Why food recalls are increasingE.Coli, metal and even a dead bat has have been found in recalled food. In fact, food recalls are increasing. Yet, that might actually be a good sign. Here’s why.Just the FAQs, USA TODAYA public health alert has been issued for approximately 211,406 pounds of raw ground turkey products potentially linked to salmonella hadar illness.The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the alert Saturday night for the products that were produced by Plainville Brands, LLC, which is based in New Oxford, Pennsylvania. The affected products were shipped to stores nationwide and have January “use by/freeze/sell by” dates. The health alert said there were concerns that “some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.”According to the USDA health alert, a recall was “not requested because it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase.”Save better, spend better:  Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up hereA list of states and stores where the products were sold was not included with the health alert. However, two of the four affected products were sold at Wegmans under the grocer’s name.Another affected product is under the brand name “Nature’s Promise,” which is a Hannaford store brand with products sold at Food Lion, Giant Food, Giant/Martin’s, Hannaford and Stop & Shop stores.”Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the alert said. “Retail locations that may receive returned product from consumers should destroy this product immediately.”Restaurant closings: McDonald’s is closing more restaurants in Walmart stores, but Taco Bell, Domino’s and others are moving inFree beer for COVID vaccine: Samuel Adams announces incentive on National Beer Day and how to get free Coors PureThe health alert comes as the USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health and regulatory officials investigate “a multistate outbreak of 28 Salmonella Hadar illnesses in 12 states” with the cases starting between Dec. 28 and March 4.The traceback investigation for one of the cases “identified the patient consumed ground turkey produced by Plainville Brands, LLC,” the alert said, adding “evidence collected to date does not link all illnesses to this establishment.””Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses,” the USDA said in its alert. “The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days.”Raw ground turkey productsThe affected raw ground turkey products were processed between Dec. 18 and Dec. 29. The products have the establishment number EST. P-244 inside the USDA mark of inspection. (See photos of the labels here.)Products subject to the public health alert are:1-pound packages of Nature’s Promise Free from 94% LEAN | 6% FAT Ground Turkey with “Use by/freeze/sell by date of 1/1/21, 1/3/21,1/4/21, 1/8/21 and 1/10/21 on the front of the package.”1-pound packages of Wegmans 94% LEAN | 6% FAT Ground Turkey with “Use by/freeze/sell by date of 1/3/21, 1/4/21, 1/8/21 and 1/10/21 on the front of the package.”3-pound packages of Wegmans 94% LEAN | 6% FAT Ground Turkey with “Use by/freeze/sell by date of 1/3/21, 1/4/21, 1/8/21 and 1/10/21 on the front of the package.”1-pound packages of Plainville Farms Ground White Turkey 93% | 7% Fat with “Use by/freeze/sell by date of 1/10/21 on the front of the package.”Consumers with questions can contact Yusef Robb at 323-384-1789 or by email at yusef@tkcommunicationsllc.com, the alert said. For food safety questions, call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday at https://ask.usda.gov/s/.Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko


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