Listeria-tainted meat and poultry expands to US, schools, restaurants

DURANT, Oklahoma: Federal officials say a recall of meat and poultry products potentially contaminated with listeria has expanded to nearly 12 million pounds, now including ready-to-eat meals sent to U.S. schools, restaurants, and major retailers.

The recall covers various prepared foods such as salads, burritos, and wraps sold at stores like Costco, Trader Joe's, Target, Walmart, and Kroger.

The affected meat was processed at a Durant, Oklahoma, plant operated by BrucePac, which supplies precooked meat and poultry to food service and retail outlets nationwide. Routine testing found traces of listeria bacteria in samples of BrucePac chicken, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A). While no illnesses have been reported so far, consumers are advised to take caution. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not initiated an outbreak investigation.

Initially issued on October 9, the recall includes foods produced between May 31 and October 8. The U.S.D.A. has published a 342-page list of affected products, which include chicken wraps from Trader Joe's, chicken burritos from Costco, and various salads from Target and Walmart. Many of these products were also distributed to school districts and restaurants nationwide.

Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking for establishment numbers "51205 or P-51205" inside or beneath the U.S.D.A. mark of inspection. Affected products should be discarded or returned to stores for a refund.

Listeria contamination can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.

Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to stiff neck, confusion, and convulsions. Symptoms can appear days or even weeks after consuming contaminated food. The CDC reports that about 1,600 people in the U.S. are infected with listeria each year, with around 260 deaths.

This recall follows another recent listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meat, which has been responsible for at least ten deaths since May.