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Nationwide public health alert issued for Trader Joe's turkey wrap

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  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 13:50 GMT by Newsweek
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Nationwide Public Health Alert Issued for Trader Joe’s Turkey Wraps

In a rapid response that underscores the heightened scrutiny of ready‑to‑eat poultry products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a nationwide public health alert for Trader Joe’s turkey wrap. The alert—issued on July 10, 2023—warns consumers that the product may contain Salmonella, a food‑borne pathogen that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. The advisory comes after laboratory testing of a product sample collected from a retail outlet flagged the presence of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium.

What the Alert Covers

The alert specifically applies to the Trader Joe’s Turkey Wrap (2.3 oz) sold at Trader Joe’s grocery stores and also carried under the Aldi brand, which is the parent company of Trader Joe’s. The affected product is a pre‑wrapped, vacuum‑sealed slice of roasted turkey meat, usually found in the refrigerated section of the frozen foods aisle. The recall affects all units sold between June 20 – July 8, 2023, according to the FSIS listing on its website.

Why It Matters

Salmonella is a common cause of food‑borne illness in the United States, with an estimated 1.35 million infections and 26,500 hospitalizations each year. Symptoms—such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever—can begin within 6 hours to 6 days after ingestion and typically last 4–7 days. While most people recover without medical treatment, severe cases may require hospitalization, especially among young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

The FSIS notes that the contamination is believed to have occurred during the processing stage at the facility that supplies the product. Although the company’s food safety protocols were deemed compliant, the presence of Salmonella in the final product necessitates immediate action to protect public health.

How to Identify the Affected Product

Consumers can identify the potentially contaminated wraps by checking the “sell by” or “best if used by” dates printed on the bottom of the product’s plastic packaging. The FSIS listing indicates that all packages produced in the specified period should be avoided. The product’s code on the packaging—TRJ‑TWR‑2306—is also a useful identifier.

If a package contains the “Trader Joe’s” logo and the description “Turkey Wrap” with a 2.3 oz weight, it falls under the alert. Even if the wrap is in a bag rather than vacuum‑sealed, the product still belongs to the same line and should be discarded.

What Consumers Should Do

1. Stop Using the Product – Do not cook or consume the wraps. Even thorough cooking does not guarantee safety once contamination has occurred.
2. Dispose or Return – If the product is still sealed and unopened, the safest option is to discard it in a trash bag. If you have already purchased it, you can return it to the store for a refund. Trader Joe’s has set up a dedicated return portal on its website; Aldi customers can also contact their local Aldi store for assistance.
3. Check Your Home – If you purchased other poultry items from the same store, it may be wise to inspect them for the same product code or contact FSIS for guidance.
4. Seek Medical Attention if Symptomatic – Anyone experiencing fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting should contact a healthcare provider. If you are a child, an elderly adult, or someone with a weakened immune system, consider seeking care sooner.

The FSIS recommends that consumers stay informed by visiting the Food Safety.gov portal or the FSIS Recall Database, which provides real‑time updates on product alerts and recalls.

Company Response and Industry Impact

Trader Joe’s issued a statement on its website noting that the company “takes food safety very seriously” and “has already taken steps to isolate the product line.” The statement further highlighted the company’s commitment to working with FSIS to ensure the product’s safety and to notify consumers promptly.

Aldi, which shares the same supply chain as Trader Joe’s, released a parallel notice urging customers to “do not use the product and contact your local Aldi store.” Both companies have emphasized their dedication to consumer safety and have pledged to provide refunds for any affected purchases.

The incident has reignited conversations around the safety of pre‑wrapped, vacuum‑sealed poultry products. In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FSIS have increased their inspection regimes for such items, especially those that bypass the conventional refrigeration chain. The FDA’s 2021 “New Food Safety Program” and FSIS’s “Risk‑Based Inspection” initiatives aim to reduce the occurrence of microbial contamination in ready‑to‑eat meats.

The Bigger Picture

The Trader Joe’s turkey wrap alert is a reminder of how swiftly a single contamination event can ripple through a national supply chain. Food‑borne illnesses are a significant public health concern, accounting for millions of cases annually. The FSIS’s rapid issuance of a public health alert—prior to a full recall—highlights a proactive approach to risk mitigation. By alerting consumers before a recall, the agency hopes to prevent illness and foster transparency in the food‑industry communication chain.

For consumers, this serves as a prompt to stay vigilant: check product labels, be aware of recall notices, and report any unusual symptoms to healthcare providers or local health departments. For retailers and manufacturers, the incident underscores the importance of robust microbial testing, rigorous trace‑back protocols, and clear communication channels with regulatory bodies.

As of this writing, the FSIS has not yet issued a formal recall, but the public health alert remains in effect. Consumers are advised to monitor the FSIS website and the Food Safety.gov portal for any updates or changes to the status of the Trader Joe’s turkey wrap. In the meantime, the safest choice is to discard any packages that match the alert’s specifications.