A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products has been expanded to nearly 12 million pounds due to potential contamination with listeria. The recall now includes ready-to-eat meals that were distributed to U.S. schools, restaurants, and major retailers.
The updated recall encompasses prepared salads, burritos, and other foods sold at popular stores such as Costco, Trader Joe's, Target, Walmart, and Kroger. The meat used in these products was processed at a manufacturing plant in Durant, Oklahoma, operated by BrucePac, a company based in Woodburn, Oregon.
Routine testing revealed the presence of potentially dangerous listeria bacteria in samples of BrucePac chicken, according to officials from the U.S. Agriculture Department. While no illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the recall, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not initiated an outbreak investigation.
The recall, issued on Oct. 9, covers foods produced between May 31 and Oct. 8. The USDA has published a 342-page list of potentially affected foods, including chicken wraps from Trader Joe's, chicken burritos from Costco, and various salads from stores like Target and Walmart. These products were also distributed to school districts and restaurants nationwide.
The recalled foods can be identified by establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” inside or under the USDA mark of inspection. Consumers are advised to check the USDA recall site to determine if they have purchased any potentially affected products. Officials recommend discarding these items or returning them to the store for a refund.
Listeria contamination can lead to serious illness, with approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. infected with listeria bacteria each year, resulting in around 260 deaths, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of listeria infections typically include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, and in severe cases, may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. These infections pose a greater risk to older individuals, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
It is worth noting that the same strain of bacteria has been linked to an outbreak associated with Boar's Head deli meat, which has tragically claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals since May.
