BrucePac Expands Recall Due to Listeria Concerns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced an expansion in the recall of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products by BrucePac. The update follows the discovery of potential listeria contamination, raising the total volume of recalled products to over 11.7 million pounds.

According to the FSIS, the products were distributed nationwide to restaurants and institutions, including schools. Some of these ready-to-eat items are already available on store shelves or in consumer homes. Affected schools have been identified in states such as Delaware, Florida, Illinois, and others, as well as the District of Columbia.

The potential contamination was detected during routine product testing. The initial source of listeria, a bacteria that can lead to severe illness, was traced back to BrucePac’s ready-to-eat chicken, which may implicate other products produced in their Durant, Oklahoma facility from May 31 to October 8.

Listeria is recognized as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. Infection symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the most vulnerable populations being older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems.

The recall spans several notable branded products including Red’s Grilled Chicken & Cheddar Burrito, Great Value Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, and Trader Joe’s Salad with BBQ Flavored Chicken, among others. Affected products have specific lot and best-by codes indicating their shelf life.

Neither illnesses nor adverse reactions have been reported linked to the recall. However, federal officials caution that consumers, restaurants, or institutions might still have these products in their freezers. Consumers are advised to dispose of the recalled products or return them to the place of purchase. Any questions regarding the recall can be directed to BrucePac’s VP of Business Development Jeff Golangco or through the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline.