A significant recall has been initiated for over 100,000 pounds of turkey kielbasa following numerous complaints about the discovery of “extraneous materials” within the food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) revealed on January 5 that 133,039 pounds of ready-to-eat turkey kielbasa products, produced by Salm Partners LLC of Denmark, Wisconsin, are potentially contaminated with “bone fragments.”
These products, identified by their 13-ounce vacuum-sealed packaging adorned with a green label and the name “Turkey Polska Kielbasa” in white or cream-colored writing, have been distributed across the nation. The affected items can be recognized by the establishment number “P-32009” and have a use-by date of either April 2024 or specifically April 27, 2024. The FSIS further clarified that this use-by date is prominently displayed on the front of the packaging.
The alarm was raised after Salm Partners notified the FSIS about customer complaints regarding the presence of bone fragments in the product. Two direct complaints were also received by the FSIS from consumers. It’s worth noting that turkey kielbasa, being a processed and ready-to-eat food, should inherently be free from any bone fragments.
Disturbingly, the FSIS confirmed that one individual suffered a “minor oral injury” after consuming the contaminated product. In light of this, anyone who fears they might have consumed this tainted turkey kielbasa and is concerned about potential injuries or illnesses is urged to consult their healthcare provider immediately.
Compounding concerns, the FSIS is apprehensive that some consumers might have stored the recalled product for later consumption. Therefore, it is crucial for those who possess the mentioned product to either dispose of it or return it to the store of purchase without delay.
The FSIS offers clarity on the standards for bone particle content in meat and poultry products. Products labeled with mechanically separated meat or poultry may contain bone particles, but these particles must adhere to specific size limits. Livestock should have bone particles less than 0.5 millimeter by 0.85 millimeter, while poultry products should not exceed 1.5 millimeters by 2 millimeters.
For those with concerns or seeking more information on food safety, the FSIS provides a toll-free hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) and an email address at MPHotline@usda.gov. Additionally, consumers can report problems with meat, poultry, or egg products using the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System, which is available around the clock. As of now, contact details for Salm Partners have not been disclosed.
