Chicken and meat recall expanded; more than 11 million pounds now implicated

The 7 million-pound recall of meat and poultry products from BrucePac has been expanded to include almost 2 million more pounds of products, some of which were sent to schools.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is reporting that the recall of an additional 1.77 million pounds of products is part of continuing efforts to gather distribution information. The recall, which now includes 11.76 million pounds of products, was initiated because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

As of the posting of the recall notice there had not been any confirmed illnesses reported. However, it can take up to 70 days after consumption of tainted food for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop.

“The problem was discovered after FSIS performed routine product testing of finished product containing RTE poultry products produced by BrucePac (of Durant, OK) and confirmed those products positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Subsequent FSIS investigation identified BrucePac RTE chicken as the source of the Listeria monocytogenes,” according to the recall notice.

“FSIS wants to make sure consumers are aware that some of the recalled products could bear a different establishment number on the label due to further distribution and processing by other establishments. Consumers are urged to carefully review the information, including the product and label information, included in the BrucePac Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Recall Press Release.”

The ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry items were produced from May 31, 2024, to Oct. 8, 2024. Some of the products are frozen. In addition to schools, the recalled products were shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide then distributed to restaurants and institutions, as well as retail stores. 

Some of the products subject to recall bear establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” inside or under the USDA mark of inspection.

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 comprehensive and will be updated by the 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 affected 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 thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can send an email to 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 spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalledproducts and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)