11.7M pounds of meat sent to schools, restaurants, recalled due to Listeria concerns

Ready-to-eat meat and poultry products distributed to national grocers, restaurants and schools have been recalled due to a Listeria monocytogenes contamination found in routine testing.

More than 11.7 million pounds of meat have been recalled to date, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The BrucePac meat was sold to stores including Costco, Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, Target and Walmart and was produced between June 19 and Oct. 8 at a Durant, Okla., plant.

BrucePac has an additional production facility in Woodburn, Ore.

The products subject to recall include establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” inside or under the USDA mark of inspection. BrucePac said in FAQs on its website that the number is only on packages shipped directly to its customers. The establishment numbers will not be found on retail packages.

The recall list includes sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salads and more. The full recall list is 342 pages and can be searched here.

Recalled BrucePac products should be thrown away or returned to stores for a refund.

The Listeria contamination was discovered after the FSIS performed routine product testing of poultry products produced by BrucePac and confirmed those products positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness or death due to consumption of these products at this time.

Boar’s Head liverwurst produced in Jarratt faced a similar outbreak that was responsible for 10 deaths and 59 hospitalizations and affected people in 19 states, according to the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Jarratt plant was permanently closed, and Boar’s Head discontinued its liverwurst product, following the outbreak.

About Listeriosis

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes may cause listeriosis, an infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems and pregnant women and their newborns.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

Approximately 1,600 people are infected with listeria bacteria each year in the U.S., and it is responsible for approximately 260 deaths annually, according to the CDC.

Consumer questions about recall

Consumers with food safety questions can call the USDA meat and poultry hotline at (888) 674-6854 or email [email protected].

You may also reach out to BrucePac directly at (503) 874-3000 or email [email protected].