The United States Department of Agriculture has identified a list of more than 150 schools that could be affected by a significant recall of poultry and beef due to listeria concerns.
These schools are located in various states, including Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, among others.
To view the complete list of potentially impacted schools, click here.
The recall involves approximately 12 million pounds of meat products from BrucePac. BrucePac supplies precooked meat and poultry to food service and retail establishments across the country.
RELATED STORY | Listeria recall grows to 12 million pounds of meat and poultry, some of it sent to US schools
An initial recall announcement on Oct. 9 listed numerous potentially affected food items, including chicken wraps, burritos, salads, and other products sold at major retailers like Trader Joe’s, Costco, Target, and Walmart.
A week later, the recall was expanded to include additional ready-to-eat meals available at schools, restaurants, and major retail stores.
The recall was prompted by the discovery of listeria bacteria in samples of BrucePac chicken processed at a manufacturing plant in Durant, Oklahoma, operated by BrucePac.
A comprehensive list of recalled products can be accessed here.
Listeria
Listeria bacteria have the potential to contaminate various foods, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consumption of contaminated foods can lead to infection and illness, which is rare but severe.
Symptoms of listeria infection can vary depending on the individual affected and the body part impacted. Common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.
Individuals at higher risk of severe listeria illness include pregnant women, infants, individuals aged 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.
Listeria is identified as the third most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States, according to the CDC.
