Massive Listeria Recalls: Over 10 Million Pounds of Meat and Poultry Products Impacted

In a significant public health alert, nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products have been recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This massive recall affects various food retailers across the United States, including Trader Joe's, Aldi, and H-E-B, among others. The recalls are a result of routine testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which detected Listeria in samples of poultry products produced by BrucePac, a company based in Oklahoma and Oregon.

The recall includes a wide range of products, such as grilled chicken breast strips, chicken and broccoli rice casseroles, and turkey club wraps. These items were produced between June 19 and October 8, 2024, and have been shipped to restaurants, food service vendors, and retail locations nationwide. The products bear the numbers '51205 or P-51205' inside or under the USDA mark of inspection, which is crucial for identifying the recalled items (see H-E-B products named in massive meat recall due to listeria).

BrucePac's recall is part of a broader effort to ensure food safety. The company has taken swift action after FSIS detected Listeria in its products during routine testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions linked to the consumption of these products; however, eating foods contaminated with Listeria can cause potentially serious illness (see Nearly 10 million pounds of meat recalled due to listeria concerns).

Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium that can remain on surfaces and foods even at refrigerated temperatures. It can take up to 10 weeks for some people to exhibit symptoms of listeriosis, making it crucial for consumers to check their homes for any remaining recalled products (see More illnesses and deaths in Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats).

The CDC has issued a warning about the potential risks associated with consuming contaminated deli meats. The agency has reported a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis. Since the last update on August 8, 2024, 14 more illnesses have been reported, bringing the total to 57. All 57 people have been hospitalized, and 9 deaths have been reported (see More illnesses and deaths in Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats).

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and retailers are advised not to sell these products with the referenced sell-by dates. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Additionally, consumers are urged to clean their refrigerators thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination (see More illnesses and deaths in Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats).

Listeria infections can be particularly dangerous for certain groups, including pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions (see More illnesses and deaths in Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats).

In addition to BrucePac's recall, another company, Boar's Head Provisions Co., has also expanded its recall for ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to possible Listeria contamination. The expansion includes approximately 7 million additional pounds of products produced between May 10 and July 29, 2024 (see Boar's Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due).

Boar's Head Provisions Co.'s recall was prompted by a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health testing positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The products subject to recall include 71 items under the Boars Head and Old Country brand names, which were distributed nationwide and some were exported to international locations (see Boar's Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due).

The CDC is working closely with state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis. As of July 30, 2024, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths (see More illnesses and deaths in Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats).

To mitigate the risk of Listeria contamination, FSIS recommends that retail delis clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces. Businesses should also discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli area and follow USDA-FSIS best practices for controlling Listeria contamination in deli areas (see Boar's Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due).

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact BrucePac's customer service at 1-800-352-6277 or Boar's Head Provisions Co.'s customer service at 1-800-352-6277. Media with questions can contact Elizabeth Ward, Vice President of Communications at Boar's Head Provisions Co., at media@boarshead.com (see Boar's Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due).

In conclusion, the recent Listeria recalls highlight the importance of rigorous food safety measures in the production and distribution of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Consumers must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid consuming contaminated foods. For more information on this topic, please visit Direct Post.