11.8 Million Pounds of Meat Recalled by BrucePac
The sweeping BrucePac recall has been expanded. Another 1.8 million pounds of overall product was added to the existing recall, expanding the total to nearly 12 million. According to the USDA, some of the affected meat was sent to schools.
The government is continuing to identify possibly contaminated meats and add those items to the public recall list. An initial recall was announced last week, and the list of items included keeps growing. The initial recall didn't have a product list and was released on October 9th, 2024.
It covered 9,986,245 pounds of poultry and meat.
Reason For the Recall
The recall was issued due to potential listeria contamination. The Wednesday update to the recall included another 1,779,040 pounds, bringing the total recall of the product to 11.8 million pounds.
When the update was announced, it revealed that a portion of the recalled products were distributed to educational establishments in many different school systems.
The USDA expanded the product and label list on October 11th, 2024 with photos. At the time of writing, the document was 343 pages in length. A warning was included that possibly contaminated BrucePac meat might be in schools from coast to coast.
The Food and Safety Inspection Service, or FSIS, of the USDA didn't have specific information at the time on which particular school locations might have been specifically impacted. They continued to collect information and stated that they were committed to making sure customers had the information that was necessary for them to identify recalled products prior to use and consumption.
Reporters asked for comment from both the USDA and BrucePac, but neither responded to these requests. BrucePac did put a recall statement on its website announcing a temporary halt to facility production in Durant, Oklahoma. The company noted its commitment to offering customers safe, high-caliber meats and food products.
BrucePac claims to be working in close conjunction with the USDA to follow all necessary actions required to keep a safe food supply. The company did not intend to resume production at its Oklahoma facility until they were confident that the safety and contamination matters had been effectively resolved.
Food Safety Lawyer Says It's Too Risky
A food safety attorney told a major newspaper that in an ideal world, BrucePac and other food production companies would have total oversight of their products and broad visibility for their parts of the nation's food supply chain.
It would be easy to know when food safety is potentially disturbed. In reality, however, tracking is practically impossible. Manufacturers, including BrucePac, sell their products to vendors. These first-line vendors often turn around and sell again to further layers of vendors. The product moves through multiple lines of distribution until it winds up as a salad ingredient in a grocery store.
Industry experts point out the biggest risk is that the initial announcement turned into a rolling recall that just keeps growing. The potential incubation period can go as high as 70 days.
People who consumed potentially contaminated products weeks ago might still be at risk, and there are many people who might yet consume affected products. The reduced visibility into the operations and supply chain is why consumers are witnessing a slow rollout of recall information. In addition to a tepid pace, the information about the recall is woefully incomplete.
Food safety attorneys argue that this situation highlights the importance of companies using good manufacturing practices so they wouldn't even have this issue to start with. They also argue that the country at large should be doing more listeria testing for ready-to-eat products instead of less. However, the FSIS reduced testing levels.
Given the broad scope of the recall and its inclusion of meats used in both frozen and ready-to-eat foods, including wraps, salads, and other prepared items, consumers should follow the traditional advance of "When in doubt, toss it out."
Assembling a comprehensive list of impacted items is going to be an ongoing challenge. Anything pre-made using beef or chicken that might be a part of the growing recall should be disposed of and not consumed by humans.
Doing so might seem wasteful at a time when consumers are hurting by high food prices after years of generationally high inflation, but the risks involved with listeria are too high. Consumers can find a current list of recalled labels and products by visiting FSIS.USDA.gov.
What Types of Products Are Being Recalled?
The recall primarily covers ready-to-eat and precooked meat products that might have health-hazardous contaminants.
Deli-style meats, such as ham, chicken, and turkey, are commonly used in wraps and sandwiches. Meats used in pre-packaged, frozen, or ready-to-eat meals include diced chicken, sausage, and other processed meats.
Schools and institutions may have received meats that serve vulnerable populations, including children and students. Grocery stores might sell meats under various store brands and labels, given how BrucePac supplies many different retailers.
The recall was triggered by concerns about possible contamination from harmful bacteria, specifically Listeria monocytogenes. It can result in serious health risks for people, but immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and kids are especially at risk.
If you have bought or consumed any affected products, you need to consult the current recall notice for any specific details that you should know. The primary prepared foods impacted by the recall include salads, sandwiches, and wraps, but frozen meals involving chicken products also include family entrees, bowls, burritos, and pasta.
Recalled ready-to-eat poultry and meat products were produced from the end of May 2024 until the first week of October.
The products were shipped to distributors and establishments across the country before being distributed to institutions, schools, and restaurants. Products subject to recall have establishment numbers P-51205 or 51205 on the labeling. These numbers would either be under or inside the USDA inspection mark.
What Stores and Brands Are Included in the Recall?
The USDA continues to update the list of impacted products. At the time of writing, the following brands and stores were included in the list, but it might not be exhaustive. Check back with the aforementioned FSIS USDA website for updates.
Stores included in the recall for fresh products and ready-to-eat frozen foods:
Albertson’s
Aldi
Amazon Fresh
Giant Eagle
H-E-B
Kroger
Meijer
Publix
Save Mart
Target
Trader Joe's
Walmart
Wegmans
7-Eleven
The growing recall has impacted the following brand names. BrucePac might not be identified as a brand or supplier on the packaging of these retail items.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Kitchen
Atkins
Bell & Evans
Boston Market
Central Eats
Contessa Premium Foods
Dole
Don Pancho's
El Monterey
Fresh Express
Fusia
Giant Eagle brand
Good & Gather
Gordon Choice
Great Value (Walmart) brand
H-E-B brand
HMS
Home Chef
Jenny Craig
KitchenMate
Kroger brand
Little Salad Bar
Marketside
Meijer brand
Michael Angelo's
Michelina’s
Mom’s Meals
RaceTrac brand
Raley's
Rao's
ReadyMeals
Red's
Save Mart brand
Signature Select
Taylor Farms
Trader Joe's brand
Udi's
Wegman's brand
Whitsons' Culinary Group
What Is Listeriosis (Listeria Poisoning)?
This serious infection is caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium. It's a foodborne illness that usually impacts people who have eaten contaminated food.
Anyone can get it, but it's especially dangerous for vulnerable populations. These include newborns, pregnant women, seniors, and anyone with a weaker immune system.
The bacterium is commonly found in water, soil, and certain animals, such as poultry and cattle. It can contaminate many different foods, especially if they're uncooked or improperly stored or handled.
Meat can be a source of contamination, but so can unpasteurized dairy products, salads, fruits, and vegetables. Listeria can survive in cold temperatures and even grow, so it can spread in a refrigerator to other foods.
Symptoms vary based on the affected person and how serious their infection is. Mild cases might feel like gastrointestinal distress or the flu. Someone might have a fever, diarrhea, nausea, or muscle aches.
Listeriosis is more severe for vulnerable populations. Pregnant women might have mild symptoms like the flu, but the infection can impact the fetus, resulting in stillbirth, premature birth, and miscarriage.
Serious cases of listeria can spread to anyone's nervous system, resulting in seizures, loss of balance, altered mental state, confusion, headaches, and stiff neck. In life-threatening cases, it might result in sepsis, encephalitis, or meningitis.
Spinal fluid analysis and blood tests can diagnose most cases. An early diagnosis is essential because antibiotic treatment is most effective if started early. Severe cases can result in hospitalization, particularly when the infection infects the blood or nervous system.
Pregnant women diagnosed with listeriosis can get antibiotics to keep their fetus from harm. Newborns who contract this infection need antibiotic treatment.
Listeriosis is typically diagnosed through a blood test or spinal fluid analysis. Early diagnosis is crucial, as treatment with antibiotics is most effective when started promptly. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required, especially if the infection has spread to the nervous system or caused sepsis.
Pregnant women who are diagnosed with listeriosis may receive antibiotics to help prevent the infection from harming the fetus. If newborns contract the infection, they will also require antibiotic treatment.
What To Do if You Have a Recalled Food Product
If a food product gets recalled, you need to take the right steps to protect not only your own health but also your family.
Check recall notices regularly to know what's being recalled and why. Confirm that you have a product that is being recalled; a brand might recall some products but not others, so you don't necessarily have to dispose of something if it's not covered by the announcements.
If you do have something being recalled, stop consuming it immediately to minimize your exposure and risk. Should anyone in your family have consumed the product and demonstrate symptoms of illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Isolate and store recalled products safely to avoid spreading contamination; you might need the packaging or proof of purchase to get a refund. Store the product being recalled in a separate container before securing it in a sealed plastic bag. Mark the item clearly for "Do Not Use," and keep kids and pets away from it. Either return the item or dispose of it.
Clean and sanitize any utensils or areas the product came into contact with. Hot, soapy water and a disinfectant should be used on all surfaces, including cutting boards, refrigerator shelves, countertops, knives, and storage containers.
Then, watch out for symptoms of foodborne illness in your household. Symptoms of Listeria can take weeks to show up.
Preventing listeriosis involves multiple steps. They include proper food storage, cooking foods thoroughly, washing produce, practicing good kitchen hygiene, and avoiding unpasteurized dairy products.
This potentially serious infection is a common one but should only impact healthy individuals with mild symptoms. At-risk individuals might face severe problems, and the infection can turn fatal. Constant vigilance and good practices dramatically reduce your risks of Listeria poisoning.