Expansion of BrucePac Meat Recall Over Listeria Concerns
The recall of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from BrucePac has increased significantly, covering nearly 12 million pounds, due to potential listeria contamination. This expansion follows an initial recall that saw more than 9 million pounds of products withdrawn, initiated by the Durant, Oklahoma-based company last week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) updated the public on October 15 with details about the recall’s extension, which adds additional products and production dates. Notably, some of the recalled items were distributed to U.S. schools. The FSIS announcement stated, “Details of this release were updated to note the addition of 1,779,040 pounds of product subject to recall, increasing the weight from 9,986,245 to 11,765,285 pounds.”
The Scope of the Recall
This expanded recall encompasses a wide range of products, including prepared salads, burritos, and other food items that are sold in retail outlets such as Costco, Trader Joe’s, Target, Walmart, and Kroger. Initially, on October 9, BrucePac recalled about 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, produced from June 19, 2024, to October 8, 2024. This action followed a routine FSIS product testing that identified the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in finished poultry products.
Further investigation tied the contamination back to BrucePac’s ready-to-eat chicken products. As of this moment, the FSIS has reported that no illnesses linked to the recalled products have been confirmed.
Identification of Potentially Contaminated Products
The products affected by the October 9 recall bear the establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205,” located inside or underneath the USDA mark of inspection. This comprehensive list of recalled items can be accessed through the USDA’s official communications.
On October 11, FSIS officials cautioned consumers, stating, “some of the recalled products could bear a different establishment number on the label due to further distribution and processing by other establishments.” Consumers are advised to examine the product and label information contained in the BrucePac Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Recall Press Release meticulously.
ABC News attempted to contact BrucePac for a response concerning the recall but has not received any comments yet.
Concerns and Health Risks Associated with Listeria
Consumption of food tainted with Listeria monocytogenes leads to listeriosis, a rare but potentially severe infection. This condition can escalate to invasive listeriosis if the bacteria spread beyond the gastrointestinal system to other parts of the body, as explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms of a severe infection typically manifest between one to four weeks following the ingestion of contaminated food, though they can emerge as early as the same day or as late as 70 days later. The CDC estimates that annually, around 1,600 individuals in the U.S. contract listeriosis, with approximately 260 fatalities resulting from the condition.
Groups most susceptible to infection include pregnant individuals and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with compromised immune systems. Common symptoms for those not pregnant include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance. Pregnant individuals mainly experience fever alongside flu-like symptoms.
The CDC’s Recommendations for Prevention
The CDC advises those at elevated risk for listeriosis to avoid consuming deli-sliced meats unless they have been heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or are steaming hot just prior to serving. Additionally, the agency recommends contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms of listeriosis emerge, particularly if one has recently consumed deli-sliced meat.
The recent expansion of the listeria-related recall to nearly 12 million pounds of meat, which has included products reaching U.S. schools, highlights the critical nature of this issue. Consumers are urged to follow safety guidelines and recall advisories actively to mitigate the potential risk of listeriosis.
The dramatic rise in the quantity of recalled products signifies the severity and reach of this contamination issue, making it imperative for public awareness to be heightened. With new batches of information and advisories being issued, it is crucial for consumers and distributors to stay informed and exercise caution.