Nearly 10 million pounds of meat products are being recalled from grocery stores nationwide, including in Wisconsin, due to concerns over listeria, as announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The recall impacts items sold at major retailers such as Aldi, Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and 7-Eleven, among others. The contaminated products were distributed by BrucePac, a pre-cooked meat manufacturer based in Oklahoma, which was prompted to issue the recall after routine tests detected listeria monocytogenes in its ready-to-eat poultry. This bacterium can lead to the foodborne illness known as listeriosis.
Currently, the recall encompasses 9,986,245 pounds of various meat and poultry items, which include ready-to-eat salads and frozen meals. The USDA has provided a 326-page document detailing the recalled products, inclusive of images and product names, updated on October 10.
The affected products were produced between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024. Many items display establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205, though some may feature different numbers due to distribution changes.
As of now, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the recalled meat products. However, the USDA encourages anyone concerned about potential health impacts from BrucePac products to consult their healthcare provider.
The following stores are among those that carried the recalled products:
– Walmart
– Meijer
– Target
– Aldi
– Trader Joe’s
– 7-Eleven
– Wegmans
– Amazon Fresh
– Kroger
– Albertson’s
– Publix
– H-E-B
– Giant Eagle
– Save Mart
A number of brands have also been affected by the recall, including but 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 recalled meat products, the USDA advises discarding them or returning them to the place of purchase. Restaurants and food establishments with affected meats should not serve these products and are instructed to dispose of them or return them to the distributor.
Listeria infections are a leading cause of food-related illnesses in the U.S. and can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may appear within 24 hours to two weeks after consuming contaminated food and can include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
For less severe cases, individuals typically recover with rest and hydration, but more serious cases may require antibiotics. If you experience symptoms after consuming any contaminated products, seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider about the food consumed. If you have ingested potentially contaminated food but do not feel unwell, you likely do not need further medical care or treatment.