Most Shocking Food Recalls in American History

5. The Cargill Ground Turkey Recall

In 2011, Cargill, one of the largest privately held corporations in the U.S., recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey due to a salmonella outbreak. This recall was one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. history and highlighted the challenges of ensuring safety in large-scale meat processing operations. The outbreak resulted in one death and 136 illnesses, sparking a debate about the effectiveness of current food safety regulations. The Cargill recall underscored the importance of pathogen testing and the need for improved tracking systems within the meat industry to prevent future outbreaks.

6. The Foster Farms Salmonella Outbreak

Foster Farms, a major poultry producer, was linked to a salmonella outbreak in 2013 that sickened over 600 people. The outbreak persisted for over a year, largely due to the antibiotic-resistant strain of salmonella involved. This recall brought attention to the issue of antibiotic use in livestock and its contribution to resistant strains of bacteria. The Foster Farms case prompted discussions about the role of antibiotics in agriculture and the need for more robust food safety practices to protect public health. It also led to increased scrutiny of poultry processing standards and practices.