Bloomfield Kroger Stores Affected by Salmonella-Related Recalls

Bloomfield area residents that shop at Kroger should check their freezers for potentially tainted ground turkey products, the company urged Thursday in response to a wide-spread Salmonella outbreak.

But others that shop at Hollywood Markets or Hiller's don't have to worry as neither business carries the products traced to more than two dozen reported illnesses dating back to March.

Representatives from Hiller's Market and Hollywood Supermarket said they have not had to take any precautions or actions since the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a major recall by Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. on Wednesday.

A press release issued by Kroger Thursday emphasized the company's  cooperation and encouraged customers to check for and return any Cargill ground turkey sold under the Honeysuckle and Kroger labels for a full refund. The products were sold in 14 states, including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Indiana.

Cargill, an Arkansas-based manufacturer of various ground turkey products, recalled 36 million pounds of fresh and frozen items this week as the FSIS continues to investigate the source of meat contaminated with Salmonella. Consumers reported illnesses in 26 states across the country.

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. (NPPC) voluntarily recalling a limited number of 3.5- and 7-pound bags of its Purina One Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food from a single production run and shipped to customers in 12 states (including Michigan) in December 2010, a press released stated.

"This is being done because some bags of the product have been found to be contaminated with salmonella," the release stated. No other Purina products were included in the recall, according to the company. Click the link above for more details about how to identify affected cat food.

Salmonella is a bacteria strain that can cause illness with symptoms including diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It usually clears up on its own after four to seven days, but more severe cases can lead to death unless treated with antibiotics. The elderly, infants and those with weakened immune systems are more likely at risk, the CDC says.

Thom Welch, vice president of Hollywood Supermarkets, said shoppers at any of the chain's seven locations in Oakland County do not have to worry about this outbreak. The company also tries to maintain greater safety and quality control by grinding their own meat products.

"We don't buy pre-ground meat and grind our own. And that's a long-standing practice," he said. "In most of these cases, the problem is linked back to cross contamination in the plan. That's what we have to do to stay competitive, focus on the quality and not just efficiency."

Hiller's officials said the grocer's corporate meat buyer checked into the matter personally and was reassured the local stores are not part of the current salmonella scare. Click here for tips to avoid exposure to the bacteria.

Berkley Patch Local Editor Leslie Ellis contributed to this report.