In a significant health alert, BrucePac, a meat producer, has announced a recall of nearly 12 million pounds of meat and poultry products sold across major retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Target, Walmart, Costco, and Kroger. This recall comes amid concerns that these products may be contaminated with listeria, a bacteria that can lead to serious health complications.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) revealed the sweeping recall on October 9 and has since expanded the list of affected products. Items produced between May 31 and October 8 have been distributed nationwide to grocery stores, big-box retailers, restaurants, and other businesses.
On Thursday, the department further disclosed a preliminary list of schools that received the recalled BrucePac products; however, none of the affected schools are located in California. The recall was initiated after routine inspections at BrucePac’s facility in Durant, Oklahoma, yielded positive results for listeria, with investigations pinpointing ready-to-eat chicken as the contamination source.
While no confirmed illnesses have been reported due to the consumption of these products, consumers are advised to dispose of or return any affected items to their place of purchase. BrucePac continues to work with the USDA to ensure a safe food supply and has temporarily halted production until the situation is resolved.
In the wake of this recall, many consumers are left wondering what specific products are affected. The recall includes ready-to-eat salads, chicken wraps, and frozen entrees from popular brands, raising concerns about food safety in the marketplace.
