Cargill Recalls 36 Million Pounds of Ground Turkey

Meat giant Cargill Inc. is recalling close to 36 million pounds of ground turkey following a salmonella outbreak that has killed one and sickened more than 70 people across the country, including some in Ohio.

The United States Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that the products may be contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg.

Cargill products potentially affected were produced at the company’s Springdale, Ark. facility from Feb. 20, 2011, through Aug. 2, 2011, according to a company press release.

Giant Eagle stores in Northeast Ohio began removing the food giant’s ground turkey products from its shelves and meat cases Wednesday. Giant Eagle was one of a number of retailers impacted by the recall and took immediate action to protect consumers, said Paula DePasquale, Giant Eagle spokewoman and executive account manager and senior strategist with Landau Public Relations.

"With public health as the primary concern, Giant Eagle immediately implemented a register sale block to ensure that none of the product involved was inadvertently purchased. Giant Eagle has also removed all potentially affected products from its store shelves. Additionally, the company is initiating a proactive telephone call with disposition and refund instructions today to customers who have purchased the products," DePasquale said.

Products on the Recall List Sold at Giant Eagle:

Service Meat Case Giant Eagle

• Jalapeno turkey burger

• Italian turkey burger           

• Garden vegetable turkey burger           

• Italian seasoned ground turkey

• Taco seasoned ground turkey

• Fresh ground turkey breast           

• Ground turkey

Self Service Case Items                                   

• Honeysuckle ground turkey value pack, 3 pound         

• Honeysuckle fresh ground turkey                                             

• Honeysuckle 99 percent lean ground turkey breast                     

• Honeysuckle white ground turkey patties                       

• Giant Eagle 99 percent and 93 percent lean ground turkey           

Giant Eagle customers may return any affected products for a full refund.

In the meantime, the grocery chain is researching its Giant Eagle Advantage Card database to compile the list of customers who have purchased Cargill meats at its stores.

Here’s a full recall list of Cargill products.

Customers with questions regarding the recalled ground turkey products may contact Cargill’s consumer relations at 1-888-812-1646 or the Giant Eagle Customer Care center at 1-800-553-2324.