BrucePac is recalling nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products distributed to retailers like Trader Joe’s, Target, and Kroger due to potential listeria contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall, which includes a wide range of ready-to-eat items produced between June 19 and October 8.
The recall was initiated after government inspectors found listeria in products containing poultry from BrucePac during routine testing. Further investigation pinpointed BrucePac’s ready-to-eat chicken as the source of the contamination.
So far, there have been no confirmed illnesses linked to these products, which should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
Among the recalled items are prepackaged salads, chicken wraps, and frozen entrees from brands like Michelina’s and Rao’s. Specific products from Target include Good & Gather salads, while Trader Joe’s recalled items consist of various chicken salads and enchiladas.
The USDA has published a comprehensive document detailing affected food labels. Products included in the recall are marked with establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205, although these numbers will only appear on packages sent directly to specific customers, not on retail packaging.
Listeria is a bacteria that can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection mainly affecting older adults, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, confusion, and gastrointestinal issues.
BrucePac, a family-owned company founded in 1949, produces precooked proteins used by other brands. The company has processing facilities in Woodburn, Oregon, and Durant, Oklahoma, where it processes millions of pounds of meat and poultry weekly. BrucePac stated it is collaborating with the USDA to resolve the issue before resuming production.
This recall occurs shortly after a separate major listeria-related recall involving Boar’s Head, which affected over 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat products and was linked to multiple illnesses and fatalities.
Individuals concerned about possible contamination should consult a healthcare provider, especially those in high-risk groups experiencing flu-like symptoms following consumption of the recalled products. For food safety inquiries, consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline.