BrucePac recall expands to 11.8 million pounds of meat, including food sent to schools

Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY
Updated ·6-min read

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

Initially reported without a product list on Oct. 9 as a recall for 9,986,245 pounds of meat and poultry due to possible listeria contamination, the number rose on Wednesday to include an additional 1,779,040 pounds, increasing the weight to a total of 11.8 million pounds. The update also revealed that some of the recalled products have been distributed to schools.

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

"FSIS is continuing to gather distribution information and is committed to ensuring consumers have the information needed to identify recalled products effectively," said an editor's note on the latest update.

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

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

"We are working closely with the USDA to ensure that all necessary actions are taken to ensure a safe food supply," the company said. "We will not resume production until we are confident the issue has been resolved."

'Not worth the risk,' says food safety lawyer

In a perfect world, companies like BrucePac would have complete visibility and oversight of their products and everywhere they are disturbed, food safety attorney Bill Marler told USA TODAY on Thursday. But the reality, he said, is that tracking becomes almost impossible when manufacturers like BrucePac sell to vendors who then turn around and sell to other vendors until the product finally ends up in a salad at a grocery store.

"I think overall the one real big risk here is that because we're seeing a kind of rolling recall where they keep adding stuff," he said. "The incubation period is up to 70 days so unfortunately people who consumed it weeks ago or will consume it are still at risk."

This loss of visibility is why consumers are seeing a slow and incomplete rollout of recall information, he said.

"It just shows how important it is that manufacturers use good manufacturing practices so you don't have this problem to begin with," he said. "It also underscores the fact that we need to be doing more testing for listeria in ready-to-eat products, not less, and FSIS did cut back on that."

Because the recall is so large and includes meat used in all kinds of ready-to-eat and frozen foods, like salads, wraps and other prepared items, Marler suggests consumers follow the tried-and-true adage: "If in doubt, throw it out." It will continue to be a challenge to get a comprehensive list of affected items put together, he said, so anything pre-made containing chicken or beef that could possibly be part of the recall should be thrown away and not consumed.

"It may seem wasteful in some respects if it ends up not being contaminated but the risk of listeria is so high," he said. "It's just not worth the risk."

A full list of recalled products and labels is available at FSIS.USDA.gov
A full list of recalled products and labels is available at FSIS.USDA.gov

What kinds of products are recalled?

Sandwiches, wraps and salads are the primary prepared foods affected by the recall. Frozen meals containing chicken products ranging from pastas and burritos to bowls and family meals are also affected.

The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced from May 31, 2024, to Oct. 8, 2024. The products were shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide and then distributed to restaurants, schools and institutions.

The products subject to recall bear establishment numbers "51205 or P-51205" inside or under the USDA mark of inspection.

Find a full and expanding list at fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

What stores carry products on the recall list?

The USDA is continuing to update the list of affected products and suggests checking back at fsis.usda.gov/recalls frequently. This list may not be exhaustive.

  • Walmart

  • Kroger

  • Albertson’s

  • Publix

  • Target

  • Aldi

  • Amazon Fresh

  • Trader Joe's

  • 7-Eleven

  • H-E-B

  • Meijer

  • Giant Eagle

  • Wegmans

  • Save Mart

Ready-to-eat frozen and fresh products are subject to the BrucePac meat recall.
Ready-to-eat frozen and fresh products are subject to the BrucePac meat recall.

What brand names are included in the recall?

The USDA is continuing to update the list of affected products and suggests checking back at fsis.usda.gov/recalls frequently. This list may not be exhaustive.

  • Fresh Express

  • Rao's

  • Michael Angelo's

  • Boston Market

  • Atkins

  • Dole

  • Jenny Craig

  • El Monterey

  • Don Pancho's

  • ReadyMeals

  • Amazon Kitchen

  • Taylor Farms

  • Giant Eagle brand

  • H-E-B brand

  • Kroger brand

  • Home Chef

  • Meijer brand

  • RaceTrac brand

  • Raley's

  • Save Mart brand

  • Trader Joe's brand

  • Wegman's brand

  • Central Eats

  • Red's

  • Udi's

  • Great Value (Walmart) brand

  • Gordon Choice

  • Michelina’s

  • Good & Gather

  • Little Salad Bar

  • Signature Select

  • Marketside

  • Amazon Fresh

  • Contessa Premium Foods

  • Whitsons' Culinary Group

  • Bell & Evans

  • Fusia

  • HMS

  • KitchenMate

  • Mom’s Meals

One of the products involved in the BrucePac recall.
One of the products involved in the BrucePac recall.

What to do if you have a recalled product

The USDA advises consumers who have purchased these products not to eat them and instead throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Retailers with the products in stock are likewise advised not to sell recalled products and to dispose of or return them.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions linked to these products, but anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact their healthcare provider.

What is listeriosis or listeria poisoning?

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

Listeriosis or listeria poisoning symptoms

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

According to the USDA, symptoms include:

  • Fever

  • Muscle aches

  • Headache

  • Stiff neck

  • Confusion

  • Loss of balance

  • Convulsions

  • Diarrhea

  • Other gastrointestinal symptoms

  • Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants

  • Death

People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food, said the USDA.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USDA: Some of 11.8 million pounds of recalled BrucePac is in schools

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