What is Salmonella Heidelberg?

Salmonella Heidelberg is just one of approximately 2,400 different strains of salmonella. The vast majority are not harmful to humans. Salmonella naturally occurs in plants, animals, water, soil and the human body. However, Salmonella Heidelberg is one of the strains known to be associated with human illness.

How does salmonella in ground turkey affect people? 

For strains that pose human health risks, symptoms can include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps that develop 12 to 72 hours after the infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.

Isn’t Salmonella Heidelberg hard to treat?

Contrary to some reports, Salmonella Heidelberg is not a new “super-bug.” Though it is true that this particular strain is resistant to some antibiotics, others, including Ciprofloxacin, are effective in treating illness related to this strain.

What can I do to protect myself from Salmonella?

Properly cooking turkey, whether it’s ground or a whole bird, kills Salmonella. The internal temperature needs to reach 165 degrees. The best way to verify that is to use a meat thermometer in the center of the meat.