Salmonella outbreak linked to Jennie-O Turkey Burgers

Food Product Recalls, Hot Topics, Salmonella

An ongoing Salmonella outbreak has been linked to Jennie-O Turkey Burgers.

The Salmonella outbreak has sickened 12 people in several states across the country and prompted the recall of more than 54,000 pounds of Jennie-O Turkey Store “All Natural Turkey Burgers with seasonings, Lean White Meat”.

The recall was announced recently by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. According to its release, the recall includes 4-pound boxes of the Turkey Burger products distributed to retailers nationwide. Each box contains 12, 1/3-pound individually-wrapped burgers.
A use by date of “DEC 23 2011″ and an identifying lot code of “32710″ through “32780″ are inkjetted on the side panel of each box, just above the opening tear strip. Establishment number “P-7760″ is located within the USDA mark of inspection on the front of each box. The products were packaged on Nov. 23, 2010.

The 12 people confirmed with Salmonella Hadar poisoning are in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Missour, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. A single case in Wisconsin spurred a further investigation which found the other cases.

Salmonella infections linked to these turkey burgers started in December 2010 and the last reported infection was March 14. At least three of the victims in this outbreak reported eating these Jennie-O Turkey Burgers just prior to getting sick.

Salmonella poisoning can impact a victim immediately or take several days to develop. Early symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If unchecked, these symptoms can escalate in severity in certain people, including the very young, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.

Less than 20 percent of the actual total of victims in a Salmonella outbreak confirm their case with authorities, meaning the total number in this outbreak is likely higher.