A California poultry producer announced Monday that it is working with the federal health officials after an estimated 278 illnesses were reported in 18 states . Raw chicken products from Foster Farms plants have been identified as the likely source of this outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg . Illnesses were linked to the facility through investigations conducted by local , state , and federal officials . The outbreak is continuing and no recall has been issued . The Food Safety and Inspection Service ( FSIS ) , an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture , has been unable so far to identify the specific product or production period , but raw products from the potentially affected facilities bear one of the following numbers on the packaging : P6137 , P6137A , P7632 and mainly distributed to retail outlets in California , Oregon and Washington state . Food poisoning : What you need to know . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is partnering with state health departments to monitor the outbreak while FSIS continues its investigation , but due to the government shutdown , current information may not be available on the agencies ' websites . `` While the company , FSIS and CDC continue to investigate the issue , Foster Farms has instituted a number of additional food safety practices , processes and technology throughout company facilities that have already proven effective in controlling Salmonella in its Pacific Northwest operations earlier this year , '' Foster Farms said in a statement on its website . The Food and Drug Administration recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165 degress Fahrenheit in order to ensure that harmful bacteria is killed off . The reading should be taken from the thickest part of the flesh , not touching a bone . Washing poultry before cooking it is not recommended . Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods , utensils , and surfaces . Cooking ( baking , broiling , boiling , and grilling ) to the right temperature kills the bacteria , so washing food is not necessary . Consumers with food safety questions can `` Ask Karen , '' the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov . The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline ( 1-888-674-6854 ) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m . ET on weekdays . Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day . Fast facts on salmonella . The CDC reports that people in a normal state of health who ingest Salmonella-tainted food may experience diarrhea , fever and abdominal cramps , which typically begin within 12 to 72 hours . This may be accompanied by vomiting , chills , headache and muscle pains . These symptoms may last about four to seven days , and then go away without specific treatment , but left unchecked , Salmonella infection may spread to the bloodstream and beyond , and may cause death if the person is not treated promptly with antibiotics . Children , the elderly , and people with compromised immune symptoms should practice extreme caution , as salmonellosis may lead to severe illness or even death . About 48 million people contract some form of food poisoning each year , according to the CDC . Salmonella was the top cause of foodborne illness , according to the CDC 's 2012 report card on food poisoning . However , the overall incidence of Salmonella was unchanged from the 2006-08 data , the agency said . The report card is based on reports from 10 U.S. regions , representing about 15 % of the country . New FDA rules target foodborne illnesses .
Raw chicken products from Foster Farms plants have been ID 'd as the likely source . Federal inspectors have not yet isolated the specific product or production period . An estimated 278 illnesses have been reported in 18 states . Comment: