Almost 10 million pounds of meat products are being recalled from grocery stores nationwide, including establishments in Wisconsin, due to concerns over listeria, as announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week.
This significant recall impacts products from several major grocery store chains, including Aldi, Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and 7-Eleven, as well as various restaurants.
The implicated meat was distributed by BrucePac, a pre-cooked meat producer based in Oklahoma, and the recall follows routine testing that detected listeria monocytogenes in its ready-to-eat poultry products. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium known to cause listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness.
The recall currently includes approximately 9,986,245 pounds of meat and poultry items, encompassing a range of products from ready-to-eat salads to frozen meals. A comprehensive 326-page document detailing the recalled products, complete with images, was released by the USDA, with updates as of October 10.
The recalled items were produced between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024. Most carry establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205 on their packaging, but variations in establishment numbers may exist due to the food distribution process.
As of Tuesday, there have been no confirmed illnesses reported in connection to the recalled meat, according to the USDA. However, the agency recommends contacting a healthcare provider if there are concerns regarding potential illness from any BrucePac products.
The recall affects numerous stores, particularly in Wisconsin, with a current list that includes:
Walmart
Meijer
Target
Aldi
Trader Joe’s
7-Eleven
Wegmans
Amazon Fresh
Kroger
Albertson’s
Publix
H-E-B
Giant Eagle
Save Mart
Brands implicated in the recall include but are not limited to:
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
Whitsons’ Culinary Group
If you have purchased any of the affected meat products, the USDA advises disposing of them or returning them to the point of purchase. Restaurants and food service establishments that have received the recalled meat are instructed not to serve these products and to dispose of them or return them to the distributor.
Listeria infections are a leading cause of foodborne illness-related deaths in the U.S. and pose severe risks to pregnant individuals, newborns, seniors, 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 consumption. Common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. While milder cases may resolve with rest and hydration, more severe instances often require antibiotic treatment.
If you experience symptoms following the consumption of contaminated products, the CDC recommends seeking medical attention and informing your healthcare provider about the food consumed. If you have ingested listeria-contaminated food but do not exhibit symptoms, medical care is typically not necessary.