Nearly 10 Million Pounds of Meat and Poultry Products Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination

In a significant food safety alert, BrucePac, a company based in Woodburn, Oregon, has initiated a massive recall of nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products due to potential contamination with listeria bacteria. The recall was announced after routine testing by the U.S. Agriculture Department detected listeria in samples of poultry products produced at BrucePac’s facility in Durant, Oklahoma.

The recalled products include a wide range of ready-to-eat foods such as grilled chicken breast strips, chicken casseroles, and various salad products. These items were produced between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, and were shipped nationwide to restaurants, food service vendors, and retail stores. The products bear the establishment numbers “51205” or “P-51205” inside or under the USDA mark of inspection.

The recall affects several popular brands and store labels, including Aldi, Walmart, H-E-B, Trader Joe's, and Fresh Express. Consumers are advised to check the ‘Best By’ dates and lot codes of the products, as they may still be stored in refrigerators or freezers. Officials stress that the contaminated foods should be discarded immediately to prevent potential illness.

Listeria infections can cause severe illness, particularly in older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, and can occur quickly or up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food).

As of now, there are no confirmed reports of illness linked to the recalled products. However, the risk of listeria contamination is serious, with approximately 1,600 people infected and 260 deaths annually in the U.S. due to listeria infections).