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Some of £11.8 million of the recalled BrucePac is in schools

Posted on by Vanessa
Some of £11.8 million of the recalled BrucePac is in schools

An additional 1.8 million pounds of product have been added to the comprehensive BrucePac recall, for a total of nearly 12 million. According to the USDA, some of the meat was sent to schools.

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The multimillion-pound recall of BrucePac meat announced last week has expanded again as the U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to identify potentially contaminated items and add them to the recall list.

Initially reported without a product list on October 9 as a recall of 9,986,245 pounds of meat and poultry due to possible listeria contamination, the number increased by another 1,779,040 pounds on Wednesday, bringing the total weight to 11.8 million pounds. The update also revealed that some of the recalled products were distributed to schools.

The USDA released a growing label and product list with photos on Oct. 11 that, as of Thursday, totals 343 pages. While Wednesday's update added a warning that contaminated BrucePac meat may be in schools across the U.S., the USDA's Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) did not have a list or further information on it as of Thursday afternoon the school locations.

“FSIS continues to collect distribution information and is committed to ensuring consumers have the information they need to effectively identify recalled products,” an editor’s note accompanying the latest update said.

BrucePac and the USDA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In a statement about the recall on its website, BrucePac, which has temporarily suspended production at its Durant, Oklahoma, plant, said: “We are committed to providing safe, high-quality products.”

“We are working closely with the USDA to ensure all necessary measures are taken to ensure a safe food supply,” the company said. “We will only resume production once we are sure the problem has been resolved.”

“It’s not worth the risk,” says the food safety advocate

In a perfect world, companies like BrucePac would have complete visibility and control over their products and wherever they are disrupted, food safety attorney Bill Marler told USA TODAY on Thursday. But the reality, he said, is that tracing is nearly impossible when manufacturers like BrucePac sell to sellers who then turn around and sell to other sellers until the product ends up in a salad at a grocery store.

“I think overall the only really big risk here is that we see some kind of rolling recall where things keep being added,” he said. “The incubation period is up to 70 days, so unfortunately people who have consumed it weeks ago or will consume it are still at risk.”

This loss of visibility is why consumers are experiencing slow and incomplete delivery of recall information, he said.

“It just shows how important it is that manufacturers use good manufacturing practices to prevent this problem from occurring in the first place,” he said. “It also underscores the fact that we need to do more testing for listeria in ready-to-eat products, not less, and FSIS has reduced that.”

Because the recall is so extensive and includes meat used in all types of ready-to-eat and frozen foods such as salads, wraps and other prepared meals, Marler recommends consumers follow the time-honored adage: “When in doubt, throw it away .” it out. It will continue to be challenging to compile a comprehensive list of affected items, he said, so any premade chicken or beef products that may be part of the recall should be thrown away and not consumed.

“It may seem wasteful in some ways if it doesn’t end up being contaminated, but the risk of listeria infection is so high,” he said. “It’s just not worth the risk.”

What types of products are being recalled?

Sandwiches, wraps and salads are primarily affected by the recall. Frozen meals containing chicken products, from pasta and burritos to bowls and family meals, are also affected.

The ready-to-eat meat and poultry products were produced from May 31, 2024 to October 8, 2024. The products were shipped to other businesses and retailers nationwide and then distributed to restaurants, schools and institutions.

The recalled products bear the company numbers “51205 or P-51205” within or below the USDA inspection mark.

For a complete and growing list, visit fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Which stores carry products on the recall list?

The USDA continues to update the list of affected products and recommends checking fsis.usda.gov/recalls regularly. This list may not be complete.

  • Walmart
  • Kroger
  • Albertsons
  • Publix
  • Goal
  • Aldi
  • Amazon Fresh
  • Trader Joe's
  • 7-Eleven
  • HEB
  • Meier
  • Giant eagle
  • Wegmans
  • Save Mart

Which brand names are included in the recall?

The USDA continues to update the list of affected products and recommends checking fsis.usda.gov/recalls regularly. This list may not be complete.

  • Fresh Express
  • Raos
  • Michael Angelos
  • Boston Market
  • Atkins
  • Dole
  • Jenny Craig
  • El Monterey
  • Don Panchos
  • ready meals
  • Amazon Kitchen
  • Taylor Farms
  • Giant Eagle brand
  • HEB brand
  • Kroger brand
  • Home cook
  • Meijer brand
  • RaceTrac brand
  • Raley's
  • Save the Mart brand
  • Trader Joe's brand
  • Wegmans brand
  • Central eats
  • Reds
  • Udis
  • Great inexpensive brand (Walmart).
  • Gordon Choice
  • Michelinas
  • Good & collect
  • Small salad bar
  • Select signature
  • Market side
  • Amazon Fresh
  • Contessa Premium Foods
  • Whitsons' culinary group
  • Bell & Evans
  • Fusia
  • HMS
  • KitchenMate
  • Mom's meals

What to do if you have a recalled product?

The USDA advises consumers who have purchased these products not to eat them and instead to throw them away or return them to the point of purchase. Dealers who have the products in stock are also advised not to sell recalled products and to discard or return them.

There have been no confirmed reports of side effects associated with these products, but anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact their doctor.

What is listeriosis or listeria poisoning?

Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a food-borne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially for older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant people.

Listeriosis or listeria poisoning symptoms

Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a food-borne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially for older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant people.

According to the USDA, symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • confusion
  • Loss of balance
  • cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Other gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and/or life-threatening infection of newborns
  • Death

People in higher risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention and inform health care providers about consuming contaminated food, the USDA said.

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