Expanded Listeria-Related Recall of Meat and Poultry Products

On October 16, 2024, it was announced that a nationwide recall of meat and poultry products potentially contaminated with listeria has expanded to encompass nearly 12 million pounds. The recall now includes ready-to-eat meals sent to U.S. schools, restaurants, and major retailers, according to federal officials. This development has raised significant public health concerns.

The products under recall consist of prepared salads, burritos, and other foods available at retail outlets such as Costco, Trader Joe's, Target, Walmart, and Kroger. These items were manufactured at a facility in Durant, Oklahoma, managed by BrucePac. BrucePac, based in Woodburn, Oregon, is known for supplying precooked meat and poultry to various industrial and retail sectors across the nation.

The recall stems from routine testing that discovered the presence of dangerous listeria bacteria in samples of BrucePac chicken, as reported by officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As of now, no illnesses have been associated with the recall, according to USDA representatives. Furthermore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not initiated an outbreak investigation.

Initially announced on October 9, the recall affects food products produced between May 31 and October 8. The USDA has released an extensive 342-page list detailing the potentially affected foods, including chicken wraps from Trader Joe’s and chicken burritos from Costco, as well as numerous salads sold at Target and Walmart. These products were also distributed to school districts and restaurants nationwide.

Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking for establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” inside or under the USDA mark of inspection. Officials advise that affected foods should be discarded or returned to the point of purchase for a refund. The USDA has made a recall search tool available for the public to identify products involved in the recall.

Consumption of listeria-contaminated food can result in severe illness, particularly among people over 65, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns, explains the CDC. Listeria infections can manifest symptoms ranging from fever, muscle aches, and fatigue to severe conditions like stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

Additionally, BrucePac’s recall follows a significant incident earlier this year where a listeria outbreak related to Boar's Head deli products resulted in multiple fatalities. This previous outbreak led Boar’s Head to permanently discontinue certain products and close down one of its facilities in Jarratt, Virginia.

BrucePac, founded in 1949, is a family-operated business specializing in precooked proteins. They operate USDA-approved processing plants in Woodburn, Oregon, and Durant, Oklahoma. “We are collaborating closely with the USDA to implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the food supply,” stated BrucePac in response to the recall. “We will not recommence production until the issue is comprehensively addressed.”

The USDA advises individuals who suspect they have consumed contaminated products and exhibit flu-like symptoms to seek medical attention. Consumers with queries about food safety can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) MPHotline.