Hundreds of Schools Impacted by Listeria-Contaminated Food Recall
According to News Week, Hundreds of schools across at least 16 U.S. states may have received food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly bacteria. This alarming situation has prompted a significant recall of meat and poultry products.
USDA Recall Announcement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced earlier this month that more than 11.7 million pounds of “ready-to-eat meat and poultry products” were recalled by manufacturer BrucePac after the bacteria was discovered during a routine inspection at a facility in Durant, Oklahoma. The recalled items were included in prepared meals sold at various grocery stores across more than 20 states.
Schools Affected
Last week, the USDA released a preliminary list of approximately 200 schools that had also received the contaminated food items. This list, which was last updated on Thursday, includes schools located in the District of Columbia and states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, New York, Iowa, Tennessee, New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, West Virginia, and Delaware.
It is important to note that none of the recalled products were purchased or distributed by the USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs; the schools acquired the food directly from private vendors.
Current Status of the Recall
As of Monday, it remained unclear whether all contaminated products had been successfully removed from distribution. Fortunately, there were no confirmed reports of related illnesses as of late last week.
The USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) expressed concern that some of the potentially contaminated products might still be available for use in restaurants, institutions, schools, and other establishments. The agency urged these establishments to dispose of the recalled items or return them.
Brands Involved
The potentially contaminated meat products were sold under a variety of popular brand names, including Boston Market, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Michelina’s, Dole, Udi’s, H-E-B, Atkins, Ready Meals, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Kitchen, Michael Angelo’s, Good & Gather, and Great Value.
Vulnerable Populations
Young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to listeriosis, an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 260 of an estimated 1,600 annual cases of listeriosis are fatal.
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Symptoms of Listeriosis
While many infections are limited to the digestive system and present symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food, a more invasive form of the illness may develop in some individuals within two weeks. Symptoms of the invasive illness include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
For non-pregnant individuals, about one in 20 who contract the invasive form of listeriosis will die from the illness. In pregnant individuals, symptoms are generally mild or nonexistent, but invasive illness can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
Conclusion
Although cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks do occur sporadically, and contamination concerns frequently lead to food product recalls. Earlier this year, an outbreak linked to recalled Boar’s Head deli meats resulted in 10 deaths and at least 59 illnesses. The CDC noted that the actual number of sick individuals is likely higher than reported, as many recover without medical care and may not be tested for Listeria.
For ongoing updates, individuals are encouraged to monitor communications from the USDA and local health departments.
