THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2024 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health officials have expanded a national recall of meat and poultry to include approximately 12 million pounds of products that may have been contaminated with listeria.
Furthermore, the updated recall indicated that some of the affected products “were distributed to schools. A school distribution list is not available at this time.”
The initial recall, for around 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products, was initially issued on Oct. 9 by BrucePac, an Oregon-based meat processor. All of the recalled meat was processed at their Durant, Okla. facility.
Newly added products to the recall list include prepared salads, burritos, and other items sold at various stores such as Costco, Trader Joe’s, Target, Walmart, and Kroger, as stated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).
No confirmed illnesses have been associated with the recall, officials noted, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not initiated an outbreak investigation according to a spokesperson who spoke with the Associated Press.
The expanded recall covers foods produced between May 31 and Oct. 8. The USDA has published a 342-page list of potentially impacted foods.
How did the recall come about?
“The issue was identified after routine product testing by FSIS of finished products containing [ready-to-eat] poultry products from BrucePac confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes,” as stated in an FSIS report. “Further FSIS investigation identified BrucePac RTE chicken as the originating source.”
This recent recall follows a significant recall earlier this year of Boar’s Head deli meats, particularly liverwurst, which were found to be tainted with listeria.
As of Sept. 26, 10 deaths and 59 hospitalizations were connected to contaminated Boar’s Head products.
Listeria bacteria can lead to listeriosis, the third most common cause of food-borne illness-related fatalities in the U.S. Symptoms often include fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. Infection may also cause headache, stiff neck, confusion, or seizures. Pregnant women may encounter pregnancy loss or premature birth.
“Listeria is particularly harmful to pregnant individuals, those aged 65 or older, or those with weakened immune systems,” stated the CDC in a news release. “[The] CDC always recommends at-risk individuals avoid consuming deli-sliced meats or ensure they are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot prior to consumption.”
More information
Learn more about listeria at the Mayo Clinic.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Agriculture, news release, Oct. 15, 2024; Associated Press
What This Means For You
A nationwide recall of meat and poultry due to potential listeria contamination has been expanded to encompass 12 million pounds of product.
