The United States Department of Agriculture has identified more than 150 schools that could be impacted by a large-scale recall of poultry and beef due to listeria concerns.
Schools in several states, including Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, are included on the list.
You can view the full list of potentially affected schools here.
The recall involves nearly 12 million pounds of BrucePac meat products. BrucePac supplies precooked meat and poultry to food service and retail establishments nationwide.
RELATED STORY | Listeria recall grows to 12 million pounds of meat and poultry, some of it sent to US schools
On October 9, the USDA initially issued a recall that included a lengthy list of potentially affected foods, such as chicken wraps, burritos, salads, and other products from major retailers like Trader Joe’s, Costco, Target, and Walmart.
A week later, the recall was expanded to include more ready-to-eat meals sold at schools, restaurants, and major retailers.
The recall was prompted by the discovery of listeria bacteria in samples of BrucePac chicken processed at a manufacturing plant in Durant, Oklahoma.
You can find a complete list of recalled products here.
Listeria
Listeria bacteria have the potential to contaminate a variety of foods, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consuming contaminated foods can lead to illness. While infection is uncommon, it can be severe.
Symptoms of listeria infection can vary based on the individual and the affected body part. They may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
Individuals at higher risk for serious listeria illness include pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
According to the CDC, listeria is the third most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States.
