Nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat poultry products have been recalled in the U.S. due to concerns about listeria contamination.
The USDA classified the recall as Class I high-risk, which is used to designate a “health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death,” according to the USDA website.
BrucePac, a food manufacturer based in Durant, Oklahoma, recalled ready-to-eat poultry products produced between June 19 and October 8. The products were shipped to other establishments and distributors around the nation and then distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, and other institutions.
The contamination was discovered during routine testing of finished products containing ready-to-eat poultry products, which tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions linked to the consumption of these products. However, “Consumption of foods contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected,” according to the USDA.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and gastrointestinal symptoms. It can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, or premature delivery in pregnant women, and life-threatening infections in newborns. Older adults and persons with weakened immune systems could experience serious or fatal infections. Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics.
Anyone in a high-risk category who experiences flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical care and inform their healthcare provider about eating the contaminated food.
Millions of Americans may have recalled products in their refrigerators or freezers or may have already eaten some of these products. The recall list is 326 pages long, and more products could be added to the list in the future, according to the USDA.
The list includes ready-to-eat items containing chicken, such as salads and sandwiches, as well as heat-and-eat products with chicken such as rice bowls, pasta dishes, enchiladas, and more. The products were sold under a large number of brand names, including Taylor Farms, H-E-B, Kroger, Home Chef, RaceTrac, 7-Eleven, Trader Joe’s, Jenny Craig, Boston Market, Marketside, and many others.
Click here for the full list of products and brands.
Restaurants and establishments should not serve these recalled products, and customers should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.