Early Thursday morning, Lee County Public Schools Food Services officials received notification from one of the District’s food distributors that certain lot numbers in a shipment of pre-sliced turkey breast was being recalled by the manufacturer. Food Services officials immediately contacted school cafeteria managers and cafeteria staff across the District and had all of the turkey product removed and inspected to determine if the District had any product in the specific lot numbers being recalled, said Joe Donzelli, a spokesman with the Lee County school system.

School cafeteria staff worked to identify and remove any of the recalled turkey product in question – such identifying the specific lot numbers – so it would not be used, he said.

The remaining turkey, which was not recalled, was cleared to be served Thursday as scheduled. Some schools also provided additional lunch options for students and staff – such as pizza, Asian chicken and chicken nuggets) where needed, Donzelli said.

The turkey in question was produced by Culinary Standards, with the District purchasing it through its distributer, U.S. Foods. There were approximately 600 cases purchased, which equates to approximately 50,000 servings. Not all of the product purchased by Lee County Public Schools was recalled, only specific lot numbers, which were removed from use, Donzelli said.

It is important to note that none of the recalled turkey product was served Thursday in Lee County public schools, Donzelli said.