Meat Recalled Over Listeria Concerns Sent To Schools Across The Country

A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products potentially contaminated with listeria bacteria has expanded to nearly 12 million pounds , according to federal officials. The recall now includes ready-to-eat meals sent to U.S. schools, restaurants, and major retailers. The updated recall includes prepared salads, burritos, and other foods sold at stores including Costco, Trader Joe's, Target, Walmart, and Kroger. The meat used in these products was processed at a Durant, Oklahoma, manufacturing plant operated by BrucePac, a Woodburn, Oregon-based company that sells precooked meat and poultry to industrial, food service, and retail companies across the country.

Routine testing found potentially dangerous listeria bacteria in samples of BrucePac chicken, officials with the U.S. Agriculture Department said. No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the recall, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not launched an outbreak investigation. The recall, issued on Oct. 9, includes foods produced between May 31 and Oct. 8. The recalled foods can be identified by establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” inside or under the USDA mark of inspection. Consumers can search on the USDA recall site to find potentially affected products. Officials said that such foods should be thrown away or returned to stores for refunds.

Eating foods contaminated with listeria can cause potentially serious illness. About 1,600 people are infected with listeria bacteria each year in the U.S., and about 260 die, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria infections typically cause fever , muscle aches, and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for older people, those with weakened immune systems, or who are pregnant.