Yes.
The sale and distribution of turtles with shells less than 4 inches long have been banned in the U.S. since 1975.
The federal Food and Drug Administration implemented the ban to reduce the spread of turtle-associated salmonella. Children are the most susceptible, though individuals who are elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised are also at risk.
Even if a turtle looks healthy, it can spread the bacteria through its droppings. Smaller turtles are more likely to spread salmonella because their size allows children to easily play with them and put them in their mouths.
Small turtles have been linked to numerous salmonella outbreaks in the U.S. since the 1960s, including a 2023-2024 outbreak that infected at least 63 people in 22 states, a 2022-2023 outbreak that infected 80 people in 24 states, and a 2020-2021 outbreak that infected 43 people in 12 states.
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Sources
- Food and Drug Administration Salmonella and turtle safety
- Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR 1240.62
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investigation update
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Significant health impact of US small turtle-related Salmonella outbreak
- Zoonoses Public Health Multistate outbreak of turtle-associated salmonellosis