BrucePac Meat Recall Expands: Taco Kits Pulled from 30 States
According to News Week, A meat recall involving BrucePac has now extended to 30 states, prompting the removal of several taco kits from store shelves due to concerns about potential listeria contamination.
Oregon-based Reser’s Fine Foods announced on Friday that it is recalling seven types of meal kits, which include chicken supplied by BrucePac. These kits are being recalled due to fears of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which can cause a serious infection known as listeriosis.
Listeriosis: Who Is at Risk?
Listeriosis primarily affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. This infection can lead to severe or even fatal health complications. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., with a mortality rate of about 20 percent in those infected.
Meal Kits Affected by the Recall
The following meal kits are included in the recall:
- Don Pancho Chicken Street Taco Express Meal Kit
- Don Pancho Chicken Quesadilla Express Meal Kit
- Don Pancho Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Express Meal Kit
- Bistro 28 Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Express Meal Kit
- Bistro 28 Chicken Burrito Bowl Express Meal Kit
- Bistro 28 Chicken Street Taco Express Meal Kit
- Bistro 28 Chicken Quesadilla Express Meal Kit
All affected products have a “best by” date between November 7, 2024, and November 21, 2024. Consumers who have purchased these kits are urged not to consume them and should return them to the store for a full refund or dispose of them safely.
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States Affected by the BrucePac Meat Recall
The recall applies to products sold in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
Reser’s Fine Foods has confirmed it is no longer using any ingredients from BrucePac’s impacted facility, as stated by the FDA.
BrucePac’s Listeria Concerns and FSIS Investigation
The recall follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). During a routine inspection, listeria was discovered in a product containing BrucePac ready-to-eat poultry. Further analysis confirmed that the contaminated chicken originated from BrucePac, leading to the recall of nearly 10 million pounds of meat products.
Listeriosis: Symptoms and Impact
According to the CDC, around 1,600 people are affected by listeria annually in the U.S. Listeriosis symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Diarrhea
- Convulsions
In pregnant women, listeriosis poses significant risks, including miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature delivery. The infection can also be fatal for newborns.
Immunocompromised individuals and the elderly are more vulnerable to serious complications, but listeriosis can affect healthy individuals as well. The FSIS advises anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming potentially contaminated products to seek medical help.
Previous Listeria-Related Recalls
Earlier this year, Boar’s Head deli meat products were also recalled due to listeria contamination, which resulted in 59 hospitalizations and 10 deaths.
