Nearly 10 million pounds of meat products are being recalled from grocery store shelves nationwide, including in Wisconsin, due to concerns about listeria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week.
This extensive recall affects products from major grocery chains such as Aldi, Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and 7-Eleven, among others.
The meat in question was distributed by BrucePac, a pre-cooked meat producer based in Oklahoma, after routine testing revealed the presence of listeria monocytogenes in its ready-to-eat poultry. This bacterium can lead to the foodborne illness known as listeria.
Consumers are advised to be aware of the following recalled products and what to do if they have purchased or consumed them.
As of Monday, the recall covers 9,986,245 pounds of meat and poultry items. The affected products include a range of items from ready-to-eat salads to frozen meals, according to the USDA.
The USDA has published a comprehensive document detailing the recall, which includes 326 pages of pictures and names of the items, updated as of October 10. The recalled products were produced between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, with most featuring establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205 on their packaging; however, some may have different numbers due to the distribution process.
Currently, there have been no confirmed cases of illness associated with the recalled meat, according to the USDA. However, individuals who are concerned about potential illness from any BrucePac products are encouraged to reach out to their healthcare provider.
The USDA continues to update the list of affected stores, with more than half of them located in Wisconsin. The stores that carried the contaminated products include Walmart, Meijer, Target, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, 7-Eleven, Wegmans, Amazon Fresh, Kroger, Albertson’s, Publix, H-E-B, Giant Eagle, and Save Mart.
The following brands have products included in the recall, and the USDA is actively updating this list: Fresh Express, Rao’s, Michael Angelo’s, Boston Market, Atkins, Dole, Jenny Craig, El Monterey, Don Pancho’s, ReadyMeals, Amazon Kitchen, Taylor Farms, Giant Eagle brand, H-E-B brand, Kroger brand, Home Chef, Meijer brand, RaceTrac brand, Raley’s, Save Mart brand, Trader Joe’s brand, Wegman’s brand, Central Eats, Red’s, Udi’s, Great Value (Walmart) brand, Gordon Choice, Michelina’s, Good & Gather, Little Salad Bar, Signature Select, Marketside, Amazon Fresh, Contessa Premium Foods, and Whitsons’ Culinary Group.
If you have purchased any of the recalled meat products, you are advised to dispose of them or return them to the store where they were bought. This guidance also applies to restaurants and food establishments that may have these products in stock; they should stop serving the items and dispose of them or return them to the distributor.
Listeria infections are among the leading causes of foodborne illness-related deaths in the U.S. They can be particularly severe for pregnant individuals, newborns, seniors over 65, and those with compromised immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of listeria infection can manifest anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks after consuming contaminated food, and may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures. While most people with mild cases recover with rest and hydration, more severe cases may require antibiotic treatment.
If you have eaten contaminated products and are experiencing symptoms, it is recommended that you seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider of the food you consumed. If you do not feel ill after eating potentially contaminated food, you likely do not need medical care or testing.