Millions of Pounds of Meat Recalled Nationwide Due to Listeria Concerns 

Last week, over 11 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were recalled due to possible listeria contamination. This recall is not only impacting popular items sold at major grocery stores, but many recalled items have already been distributed to restaurants and schools nationwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Oregon-based company BrucePac which sells pre-cooked meat, is recalling 11,765,285 pounds of meat shipped to grocery stores, restaurants and schools. Listeria was detected by the FSIS during a routine inspection of finished products produced by BrucePac.

What You Need to Know About the Recall

• The list of recalled products is 348 pages long, and still developing. The USDA is urging consumers to utilize the search function to identify potentially affected items they have at home.
• Recalled BrucePac products were distributed to popular stores such as Aldi, Amazon Fresh, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, and 7-Eleven. Outside of California, the tainted products were sold by Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Meijer, Publix, and Wegmans.
• The recalled products include salads, wraps, pasta bowls, burritos, enchiladas, and other ready made frozen meals.
• Brands of these products include Rao’s, Boston Market, Atkins, Dole, ReadyMeals, Taylor Farms, Home Chef, and Signature Select.
• Recalled meats were also distributed to schools. Click HERE for a developing list of schools that received a shipment affected by the recall.

Steps to Take

• Check your refrigerators for products produced between May 31 and October 8, 2024, with the numbers “51205” or “P-51205” under the USDA mark of inspection.
• Discard all affected items
• BrucePac warns that retail packages may not include these numbers, as their products are often resold or repackaged by other companies. Consumers should consult the USDA website or contact retailers directly for identification assistance.
• If you have a school-aged child, check the list to see if your child’s school may have received a contaminated shipment and if possible, pack a lunch from home for your child.
• Anyone with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or email MPHotline@usda.gov, and can report complaints about any meat, poultry or egg products HERE.

Health Risks

Exposure to listeria bacteria can cause listeriosis, which is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected with listeriosis will experience mild food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea or fever. Other symptoms may include muscle aches and fatigue, a stiff neck, confusion or seizures. Women who are pregnant, anyone 65 and older, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe symptoms of listeriosis.

“I’m advising consumers to take this recall very seriously,” says Miguel Custodio of Custodio & Dubey. “Listeria contamination can lead to severe health complications, so staying cautious when recalls like this occur is crucial. Remember that if you or a loved one have been affected by this outbreak, document all symptoms and seek legal advice to navigate potential claims. Your health and safety should always be the top priority.”