The recall of 7 million pounds of BrucePac meat and poultry products has been expanded to include nearly 2 million pounds of additional products, some of which have been sent to schools.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reports that the recall of an additional 1.77 million pounds of products is part of ongoing efforts to gather distribution information. The recall, which now includes 11.76 million pounds of products, was initiated due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
At the time the recall notice was posted, no confirmed illnesses had been reported. However, it can take up to 70 days after consuming spoiled food for symptoms of Listeria infection to appear.
“The problem was discovered after FSIS conducted routine product testing of finished products containing RTE poultry products produced by BrucePac (of Durant, OK) and confirmed that these products were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Subsequent FSIS investigation identified BrucePac RTE chicken as the source of Listeria monocytogenes,” the recall notice said.
“FSIS wants to ensure that consumers are aware that some of the recalled products may carry a different facility number on the label due to further distribution and processing at other facilities. Consumers are urged to read the information carefully, including the product and label informationincluded in the BrucePac recall of ready-to-eat meat and poultry.”
The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced from May 31, 2024 to October 8, 2024. Some of the products are frozen. In addition to schools, the recalled products were also shipped to other facilities and distributors across the country and then distributed to restaurants, institutions and retail stores.
Some products subject to recall carry the establishment number “51205 or P-51205” within or under the USDA inspection mark.
Retail brands of recalled products include 7-Eleven, Trader Joe’s, Amazon, Giant Eagle, Walmart’s Marketside brand, Taylor Farms, HEB, Save Mart, Meijer and Kroger. For a list of products with label photos, click here. The list is not yet complete and will be updated by FSIS as information becomes available.
The FSIS is concerned that some of the recalled products may be available for use in restaurants, institutions, schools and grocery stores. These other establishments may have used contaminated meat and poultry in RTE products that may be on store shelves or in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants, institutions, schools and other establishments are urged not to serve or use these products. These products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling companies are notifying their customers of the recall and that steps are being taken to ensure the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, retail distribution lists will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
Consumers with questions about the recall can email bprecallinfo@brucepac.com or contact Seth Leeper, recall coordinator, at 503-874-3000.
About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell putrid, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten recalled products and developed symptoms of a Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about the possible exposure to Listeria.
Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms in the coming weeks, as it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other diseases.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are at particular risk of serious illness, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to preterm labor, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
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