Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) warned that the salmonella turkey outbreak that started late last year is still ongoing. The CDC released updated numbers for people and states who have been affected by this outbreak which now includes 41 states, has caused illness in almost 300 people, over 100 hospitalizations, and one death right here in California.
California defective product lawyers warn that it is time to check your refrigerators and freezers again for the potentially contaminated turkey products listed and continually updated by the CDC. The contaminated turkey has been reported in different types of turkey products (including raw turkey pet food) and brands, so it is important to check all of your turkey products against the recall list.
Salmonella Safety Advice for Consumers
For turkey products that are not on the recall list, the CDC reminds consumers to use caution and care in handling turkey to prevent illness from a disease. Tips to keep in mind include:
- Always wash your hands after handling turkey because salmonella can spread from hands to surfaces and other people.
- Turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees and leftovers should be heated to the same temperature.
- Clean every surface that the raw turkey or its juices touch thoroughly including food prep areas, cutting boards, and utensils.
- It is not recommended to give raw meat products, including turkey, to pets even if it is marketed as pet food. Animals and people handling raw dog food can become ill from contaminated meat.
Food Poisoning Symptoms
Salmonella poisoning symptoms can be confused with other types of illnesses. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, fever, chills, and abdominal cramps. Salmonella complications can lead to serious conditions listed below.
- When your body is unable to replace the fluids you are losing for too long, serious dehydration may develop.
- Reactive arthritis may develop which causes significant pain in the joints and eyes.
- It can be extremely serious when salmonella enters the bloodstream, which can then infect tissues in your body.
Salmonella complications can lead to death, especially in young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
Causes Of Salmonella Contamination
Animals can carry salmonella in their intestinal tracts and spread it to people and surfaces. In unsanitary food processing facilities containing salmonella, salmonella can then contaminate the food that is being processed. Foods that can be contaminated include raw meats, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other types of foods.
Defective Products
When people suffer an illness, injuries, and damages caused by salmonella poisoning, they may have a defective product claim against the food processor and seller of the contaminated product. Depending on the facts of the case, restaurants may also be liable for serving food contaminated with salmonella.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to contaminated food or any other type of defective product, contact a California defective product attorney at Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation to discuss the facts of your case and resulting injuries. You deserve to be compensated when a defective product causes your injuries.