Alert – Urgent recall for 9 million lbs of listeria-contaminated meat across the US

BrucePac has recalled over 9.9 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry that was contaminated with Listeria.

The Oklahoma-based company announced that the products were produced from June 19, 2024, to as recently as October 8, 2024. They were shipped to other stores and distributors throughout the United States.

Product labels and the list of products affected in the recall will be made available imminently, according to a notice from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

For now, any products that bear establishment numbers ‘51205 or P-51205’ inside or under the USDA inspection mark are subject to the recall.

BrucePac is recalling over 9 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry that was contaminated with Listeria (stock image)

This could mean rotisserie chickens, chicken cold cuts, or other types of chicken-based meat is at risk (stock image)

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency contained within the USDA, discovered the listeria during routine product testing. 

Ready-to-eat chicken tested positive for the deadly bacteria and was later identified as the source of the contamination.

While it’s not known exactly which type of chicken is contaminated, ready-to-eat meat is meat that comes in a package and doesn’t need any additional preparation. 

This could mean rotisserie chickens, chicken cold cuts, or other types of chicken-based meat is at risk.

This latest breach of food safety comes after Boar’s Head deli meat was found to be riddled with Listeria. So far, 10 people have died and 59 people have been hospitalized as of late September.

By comparison, Boar’s Head recalled 7 million pounds of its meat, nearly 3 million pounds fewer than the recall initiated by BrucePac. 

Eating food with Listeria monocytogenes, the full name of the bacteria, can cause a person to develop a listeriosis infection, which is extremely dangerous for elderly adults, those with compromised immune systems and pregnant women along with their newborns.

Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. All of these symptoms can come after diarrhea or other digestion issues.

Pregnant women can experience miscarriages, stillbirths or premature delivery of their infant if infected with listeria.

FSIS believes some of the contaminated chicken may be available in restaurants, stores and other establishments, which is why the agency is urging anyone who comes across the infected products to throw them out immediately.

There have been no reported cases of anyone becoming ill from this chicken yet, according to FSIS.