Recall alert for Hoffman's turkey jerky -- possible salmonella bacteria
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Hoffman Town & Country Meat Market of Detroit Lakes today issued a consumer advisory for whole-muscle turkey jerky after state investigators linked the product to four cases of illness caused by salmonella bacteria.
The Minnesota Department of Health determined that there have been four cases of infection with the same strain of salmonella in Minnesota residents.
All four individuals reported eating turkey jerky during the week prior to becoming ill (onsets of illness from Aug. 2 through Aug. 7). One of the cases lives in the Twin Cities metro area, and three in outstate Minnesota. One of the cases was hospitalized, but all have recovered.
Hoffman Town & Country Meat Market has issued a voluntary recall of all whole-muscle turkey jerky product sold on or before Aug. 21.
This product was sold wrapped in white butcher paper. Consumers should not eat any product they still have on hand. Instead, they are advised to return these products for a full refund.
Hoffman's owner Randy Gravelle said in an interview that state inspectors are on site trying to pinpoint the cause of the problem and when the tests come back, probably next week, he expects to be producing turkey jerky again.
"It was an isolated incident and is not affecting the other things we do," he said.
Hoffman's has never had anything like this happen before, he said.
Anyone requiring more information about the product is advised to contact the company at (218) 847-7207. Hoffman Town & Country Meat Market is cooperating with MDA and MDH in this investigation.
According to the Health Department, salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in very young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.
Anyone who believes they may have become ill after consuming the recalled product should contact their health care provider and can reach the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-FOOD-ILL (1-877-366-3455).