More Listeria Recalls: What To Know As Nearly 12 Million Pounds Of Meat Recalled

Topline

A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products sold at some of the country's largest grocers—and served in schools—has expanded to include nearly 12 million pounds of products potentially contaminated with listeria processed at an Oklahoma facility owned by BrucePac packaging.

Key Facts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture added another 1.7 million pounds of product to the recall this week, bringing the total weight of potentially listeria-contaminated products to 11.7 million pounds.

The recall originated earlier this month from a BrucePac plant in Durant, Oklahoma, and applies to ready-to-eat meat and poultry items produced at the facility from May 31 to Oct. 8.

The products were shipped nationwide and distributed to restaurants, schools and grocers, including Costco, Trader Joe's, Target, Walmart and Kroger.

The recall was sparked by the discovery of products positive for listeria during routine testing at the facility later found to have come from contaminated chicken.

The USDA is maintaining a searchable list of recalled products (which was 342 pages long as of Wednesday) and includes popular items like southwestern style mini burritos sold at Costco; Trader Joe's branded lemon chicken and arugula salad, white meat chicken salad and chicken chow mein; and a dozen Kroger brand pre-made salad kits.

No illnesses connected to consuming the foods have been reported yet, but the USDA recommends consumers search their products and labels against the agency’s list and throw away any of the exposed products they may have at home.

BrucePac said in a statement on its website that safety is its "top priority" and it will not resume production until "we are confident the issue has been resolved."

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Is This Related To The Deli Meat Recall?

No. The BrucePac meat and poultry recall is not connected to the Boar's Head deli meat recall that sparked the nation's largest listeria outbreak in a decade this summer. That outbreak killed 10 people and sickened dozens more who ate deli meats processed at a Virginia plant that has since been permanently shut down.

What Is Listeria?

Listeria is a foodborne illness most often contracted by eating improperly processed meats and unpasteurized milk products, as it spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food, according to the CDC. People who eat food contaminated with the listeria monocytogene bacteria can develop a listeriosis infection. Most healthy people don’t get seriously sick from a listeria infection, but it does disproportionately impact people older than 65, newborns and pregnant women—who may themselves experience only mild symptoms, but babies in utero can die from listeria. Pregnant women are 18 times more likely to get listeriosis than other healthy adults. The listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing, making it difficult to eradicate once found.

Big Number

2. There have been two listeria outbreaks related to contaminated food products so far this year. Two people died and 26 were sickened in connection to a queso fresco and cotija cheese contamination in February. The Boar's Head recall led to 59 cases and 10 deaths over the summer. There were three listeria outbreaks in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, linked to leafy greens, ice cream and fruit.

Further Reading

BrucePac Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination (USDA)

Inside The Chaos At Boar’s Head (Forbes)

10th Death Linked To Boar’s Head Deli Meat Recall: What To Know About The Listeria Outbreak (Forbes)