Illinois Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Italian Style Meats

Today is just not a good day for food news. First, we find out that there will very likely be a shortage of Thanksgiving Day turkeys, and now we're being told that Italian-style meats (which I love) are being linked to Salmonella outbreaks in 17 states, including Illinois.

As a lover of meats like prosciutto and salami, not to mention coppa and soppressata, the announcement by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) certainly got my attention:

CDC and partners are investigating two Salmonella outbreaks linked to Italian-style meats. People in both outbreaks report eating salami, prosciutto, and other meats that can be found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments before getting sick. Investigators are working to identify specific contaminated products and determine if the two outbreaks are linked to the same food source.

As of this morning, the CDC reports that 36 people have been sickened in Illinois and 16 other states. There have been no deaths reported, but of those 36 people, 12 of them had to be hospitalized.

If There's No Recall, What Are We Supposed To Do?

While the investigation as to the source of the Salmonella outbreaks is continuing, and no source has been pinpointed, the CDC and other food-health experts say that you should be heating all Italian-style meats to an internal temperature of 165 degrees (Fahrenheit) or until steaming hot before eating if you are at a higher risk of severe illness.

People 65 and over, children under 5 and those with weakened immune systems or taking medication that lower's the bodies ability to fight germs are considered to be at a higher risk for severe illness from salmonella.

As NBC-5 Chicago points out, "The latest outbreak comes after the CDC warned backyard poultry farmers in May not to "kiss or snuggle backyard poultry" or eat or drink around them because it can spread salmonella germs into their mouths and result in illness."

Now we know not to kiss or snuggle the backyard chickens, or share our prosciutto with them, either.