BrucePac Meat Recall: Contaminated Products Distributed to Schools Nationwide
According to News Week, School children may face a heightened risk of listeria infection following a recall of millions of pounds of contaminated meat and poultry, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday. This recall has now been updated to involve nearly 12 million pounds of meat, surpassing the previously reported 10 million pounds.
Understanding the Recall
The recalled products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a type of bacteria that can cause severe or fatal infections in vulnerable populations, including older adults, those with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women along with their infants.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA has categorized this recall as Class I, indicating a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that consuming the product could result in serious adverse health consequences or death.
Source of Contamination
The recall was prompted after routine testing by the FSIS detected listeria in a product containing ready-to-eat chicken supplied by BrucePac, an Oregon-based company. Further investigations confirmed that this chicken was the contamination source.
BrucePac provides meat and poultry products to various retailers, brands, and establishments, including restaurants and schools. The FSIS has expressed concern that these products may be present in schools, restaurants, and consumers’ homes.
Impacted Retail Locations
While specific details on which schools and how many are affected by the recall are not yet available, the FSIS has released information on the retail locations involved.
List of Retail Stores Affected
The recall encompasses nearly 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products linked to the contaminated BrucePac chicken. The FSIS advises that any recalled products should not be consumed, but rather thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Health Risks of Listeria
Listeria is known to cause listeriosis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S., resulting in approximately 260 deaths annually.
Symptoms of Listeriosis
Symptoms of listeriosis generally manifest within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and may include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. However, the infection can take weeks to develop, leading to additional symptoms such as fever, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. In pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to severe complications, including miscarriages, stillbirths, premature deliveries, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
Production and Distribution Details
The affected products were produced by BrucePac between May 31, 2024, and October 8, 2024, at the company’s Oklahoma facility. After production, the contaminated meat was distributed across the U.S. for sale, serving, or use in other food products.
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The recalled meats may have establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205 printed inside or under the USDA mark of inspection. The FSIS clarified that some recalled products may feature different establishment numbers based on how they were processed and distributed.
Major Grocery Chains Affected
Recent reports from Newsweek indicate that the recall affects several major grocery chains, including Walmart, Kroger, Target, Amazon Fresh, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s.
The FSIS has made available a 345-page searchable document containing a full list of the affected products, complete with product labels and additional information to assist consumers in determining whether a product is safe to consume.
Additional Recall Announced
A separate recall of Reser’s Fine Foods taco kits was also announced earlier this week, as the company utilized BrucePac as its supplier for the affected products.
