A significant recall of ready-to-eat meals from major retailers has occurred. BrucePac has issued a recall for over 12 million pounds of meat and poultry products. These products may be contaminated with listeria. Ready-to-eat foods like pasta, burritos, and salads have been impacted. That includes any processed between May 31st and October 8th of this year.
Major retailers are impacted by widespread recalls.
A major food safety alert has prompted a nationwide recall of more than 300 ready-to-eat meal products from popular retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s. The recall is due to potential Listeria contamination in products manufactured by BrucePac, an Oklahoma-based meat processor. The recall is extensive, affecting nearly 12 million pounds of food products nationwide.
Salads, burritos, and pasta dishes are among the ready-to-eat items subject to the recall. Consumers can identify affected products by looking for establishment numbers “51205” or “P-51205” beneath the USDA mark of inspection. The contamination risk applies to all products processed between May 31, 2024 and October 8, 2024.
A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products potentially contaminated with listeria expended to 12 million pounds and now includes ready-to-eat meals sent to U.S. schools, restaurants and major retailers. https://t.co/W47EzcZyKM
— Inc. (@Inc) October 17, 2024
Listeria: A Serious Food Safety Concern.
Listeria is a dangerous pathogen that can live in a variety of environments, making it especially difficult to control. Listeria, unlike many other foodborne bacteria, can grow even in refrigerators. This feature raises serious concerns about ready-to-eat products that consumers may not heat before eating.
“We are committed to providing safe and high-quality products. We are working closely with USDA to ensure that all necessary actions are taken to ensure a safe food supply. We will not resume production until we are confident the issue has been resolved.”
While no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products, the possibility of Listeria contamination is a major concern, particularly for vulnerable populations. Pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to serious complications from Listeria infection.
A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products potentially contaminated with listeria has expanded to nearly 12 million pounds and now includes ready-to-eat meals sent to U.S. schools, restaurants and major retailers, including Wegmans.https://t.co/065y9aIc1R
— 13WHAM (@13WHAM) October 17, 2024
Consumer Action and Precautions
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains a comprehensive 345-page list of recalled products and encourages consumers to thoroughly review it. Consumers are advised to dispose of or return any affected products. It is critical that individuals take this recall seriously and thoroughly inspect their refrigerators and pantries for potentially contaminated items.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can appear from immediately after consumption up to 10 weeks later. These symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming potentially affected products should seek medical advice immediately.
Industry Response and Future Precautions
Bruce Pac has paused production until the issue is resolved and is working closely with the USDA to address the contamination risk. This recall follows other recent Listeria-related recalls, including an outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meat, highlighting the ongoing challenges in food safety across the industry.
The USDA has provided a hotline and email for food safety questions and encourages reporting of any issues. As the situation develops, consumers are advised to stay informed and prioritize their health and safety when it comes to food consumption.
Sources:
- Nationwide recall: 12 million pounds of precooked chicken
- A meat recall for listeria has grown to 12 million pounds. Here are 15 products affected
