Turkey recall, part II: Are you affected?

A new recall is in effect for ground turkey branded Honeysuckle White, HEB, and Kroger because of concerns it could be contaminated by a drug-resistant strain of salmonella.

Some 185,000 pounds of the meat is at risk. according to Cargill, the Minneapolis-based food conglomerate that produced the turkey. The meat was distributed to the western two-thirds of the United States. The company is asking consumers who think they may have the suspect meat to check their refrigerators and, if they do have it, to return it to the store where they bought it for a full refund.

The recall covers 85 percent lean ground turkey made between Aug. 23 and 31, with expiration dates between Sept. 11 and Sept. 21.

This marks Cargill’s second ground turkey recall in the past month and a half. The first one, one of the largest in US history, was the result of a salmonella outbreak that was linked to one fatality and 107 reports of illness in 31 states. All the suspect meat was produced at Cargill’s Springdale, Ark., processing plant.

During an Aug. 24 post-recall review of that facility, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials found the same strain of salmonella – salmonella Heidelberg – in a new sample of turkey. That prompted Cargill’s latest recall.

"As a result of this latest USDA test result, we have suspended ground turkey production at our Arkansas facility until additional measures can be identified, approved by USDA, then implemented," said Steve Willardsen, president of turkey processing at Cargill Value Added Meats, in a statement.

The Springdale plant serves retailers in the western two-thirds of the United States, says Cargill spokesman Mike Martin,. HEB and Kroger are exclusive supermarket brands, while Honeysuckle White goes to several different retailers.

If you suspect you have ground turkey affected by the recall, the quickest way to find out is to find the establishment code on the package. All ground turkey from the Springdale plant is marked with “P-963” or “963” on the package, either within a USDA seal or somewhere on the package.

Other brands distributed out of the Springdale plant are not affected, and products from Cargill’s other three turkey distribution centers around the country are also unaffected. Consumers with questions can call Cargill consumer relations at 888-812-1646, or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline.

The recall covers the following 85 percent lean ground turkey products with expiration dates between Sept. 11 and Sept. 21:

Affected turkey products:

Ground turkey chubs:

• 16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Fresh HEB Ground Turkey.
• 16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White Fresh Ground Turkey.

Ground turkey trays:

• 19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey.
• 48.0 oz. (3 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh.
• 48.0 oz. (3 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey Family Pack.
• 16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey.

Ground turkey patties

• 16.0 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey Patties
• 16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Seasoned Turkey Patties Fresh