RECALL UPDATE: BrucePac Meat Recall: Contaminated Meat Sent to Schools
According to News Week, School children could be at risk of listeria infection following the recall of millions of pounds of contaminated meat and poultry, as announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday.
Expanded Recall Details
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) revealed that the recall involves nearly 12 million pounds of meat, exceeding the previously reported figure of 10 million pounds. The recalled products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that poses a serious risk of infection, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults, individuals with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women and their babies.
The FSIS classified the recall as Class I, indicating a “health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” The recall was triggered after routine testing by the FSIS detected listeria in ready-to-eat chicken supplied by Oregon-based BrucePac, which confirmed that their chicken was the contamination source.
Potential Impact on Schools and Consumers
BrucePac distributes meat and poultry products to various retailers, brands, and establishments, including schools, restaurants, and grocery stores. The FSIS has raised concerns about the potential presence of these contaminated products in schools, restaurants, and consumers’ refrigerators and freezers. While details on which specific schools are affected and the total number of impacted institutions are still forthcoming, the FSIS has provided information regarding the retail locations involved.
Affected Retail Stores
The recall affects nearly 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold in stores such as Walmart, Kroger, Target, Amazon Fresh, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s. The FSIS strongly advises that any recalled products should not be consumed, but instead discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
| Retailer Name | Street Address | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFS PLEASANT PRAIRIE #1919 | 6905 75th Place | KENOSHA | Wisconsin |
| GFS RACINE STORE #1923 | 1025 South Green Bay Road | RACINE | Wisconsin |
| RUPENA'S FOODS | 7641 W Beloit Rd | WEST ALLIS | Wisconsin |
| GFS WEST MILWAUKEE STORE #1929 | 2064 Miller Park Way | WEST MILWAUKEE | Wisconsin |
| GFS Huntsville Store #2747 AL Unive | 4710 NW University Dr | Huntsville | Alabama |
| BASHAS MARKETS | 200 South 56th Street | CHANDLER | Arizona |
| Gas and Food Stop | 15105 Lakeshore Dr | Clearlake | California |
| FB-Corning Market | 2176 Solano St | Corning | California |
| Double J Sports & Spirits | 63803 State Highway 96 | Happy Camp | California |
| Hoopa Shopping Retail | 12500 Hwy 96 | Hoopa | California |
| Pek-Tah Fuel Mart | 22822 Highway 96 | Hoopa | California |
| Pem Mey Fuel Mart | 125 Ehlers Way | Klamath | California |
| Lincoln Express | 151 Joiner Pkwy | Lincoln | California |
| FB-Macdoel Market | 41501 S Hwy 97 | Macdoel | California |
| Lally Foodmart | 1946 N Beale Rd | Marysville | California |
| Food Mart Valero | 1 Sutter St | Red Bluff | California |
| North Redding Valero | 1911 Prestige Way | Redding | California |
| Fast Track Food & Fuel | 9539 Old Oregon Trail | Redding | California |
| SPARTANNASH STOCKTON | 1015 Performance Drive | STOCKTON | California |
| Vanco Truck Stop | 1033 W Charter Way | Stockton | California |
Health Risks Associated with Listeria
Listeria is known to cause listeriosis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies as the third leading cause of death from food-borne illnesses in the U.S., responsible for approximately 260 deaths annually. Symptoms of listeriosis can manifest within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and may include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. However, symptoms can take weeks to appear and may escalate to include fever, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Pregnancy complications linked to listeriosis can result in miscarriages, stillbirths, premature deliveries, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
Production Timeline and Identification
The affected products were produced by BrucePac between May 31, 2024, and October 8, 2024, at their facility in Oklahoma before being distributed nationwide. Consumers can identify the recalled meats by looking for establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205, which can be found inside or under the USDA mark of inspection. The FSIS noted that some recalled products may bear different establishment numbers based on their distribution and processing methods.
For detailed information on the specific products affected, the FSIS has released a comprehensive 345-page searchable document that includes product labels and additional details to help customers determine the safety of their purchases.
Additionally, a separate recall of Reser’s Fine Foods taco kits was announced this week due to their use of BrucePac as a supplier. Newsweek has reached out to BrucePac and the FSIS for further comments on the matter.
