A nationwide recall has been announced for over 300 ready-to-eat meal products sold by major retailers due to Listeria concerns, but how deep does the issue go?
At a Glance
- BrucePac has recalled nearly 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meals due to potential Listeria contamination.
- The recall involves products sold by Amazon, Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s.
- Affected products have establishment numbers “51205 or “P-51205” under the USDA inspection mark.
- No illnesses reported thus far, but Listeria poses serious risks to certain groups.
- Consumers are urged to return or discard the affected products.
Scope of the Recall
A significant recall by BrucePac has impacted around 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meals. This includes pre-made salads, burritos, and pasta dishes distributed to retailers like Amazon, Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s across the United States.
The recall covers products processed between May 31, 2024, and October 8, 2024, and was initiated after routine testing detected Listeria contamination at the BrucePac facility in Oklahoma.
Public Health Concerns
Listeria is a pathogen that can survive in a variety of environments, growing even at refrigerator temperatures. The contamination poses serious health risks, specifically to pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Authorities have not reported any illnesses yet, but the symptoms of Listeria can manifest from a few days to several weeks after exposure.
“We are committed to providing safe, high-quality products. We are working closely with USDA to ensure that all necessary actions are taken to ensure a safe food supply. We will not resume production until we are confident the issue has been resolved.” a statement read.
Consumers must check their products for establishment numbers “51205 or “P-51205” and discard or return them if found.
A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products potentially contaminated with listeria has expanded to nearly 12 million pounds and now includes ready-to-eat meals sent to U.S. schools, restaurants and major retailers, including Wegmans.https://t.co/065y9aIc1R
— 13WHAM (@13WHAM) October 17, 2024
Preventive Measures and Future Steps
BrucePac is collaborating with the USDA to address the contamination issue and has temporarily halted production until further investigations are completed. The USDA has also published a comprehensive 345-page list of the recalled products, advising consumers to review it thoroughly and reach out if further clarity is needed.
“Because we sell to other companies who resell, repackage, or use our products as ingredients in other foods, we do not have a list of retail products that contain our recalled items,” the company said in a statement, adding that the best way for people to identify contaminated products is through the USDA website or by calling the company or retailer from which they got the package.
The USDA maintains a hotline and email service for food safety queries, encouraging consumers to report any instances related to this recall.
