Oops! Another Day, Another Major Meat Screw-Up

Oh great, just what we needed! Meat producer BrucePac gloriously recalled nearly 10 million pounds of its products this week after discovering a listeria outbreak. Because who doesn't love a little bacteria in their chicken, right? 🙃

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) notice, roughly 9,986,245 pounds of product are subject to the recall after routine testing found evidence of Listeria monocytogenes on BrucePac ready-to-eat poultry. You know, the kind that can cause a listeriosis infection if adulterated foods are consumed. Yum!

These potentially bacteria-laden products were happily sent to establishments, including restaurants and other food institutions. And guess what? Foods produced as recently as Oct. 8 may still be chillin' in consumers' fridges or freezers, on store shelves, or in restaurants and other establishments, FSIS warned. Just fantastic!

Here’s the lowdown on listeria and the recalled BrucePac products:

What BrucePac products were recalled?

Ready-to-eat meat and poultry products made between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, with establishment numbers "51205" or "P-51205" on the packaging, are being recalled.

This recall covers 75 different products by BrucePac, including various chicken items such as strips, breasts, patties, and diced chicken, as well as beef items like patties and fajita strips. Because variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to foodborne illness.

What Texas stores sell BrucePac products?

Are you a fan of these grocery stores in Texas? You'll want to know if they're selling BrucePac products. Anyone with any of these products should return them to the store for a full refund. But hey, who needs their money back when they can just play foodborne illness roulette?

Here is a list of what stores sell BrucePac ready-to-eat poultry, according to the USDA.

• Walmart: Marketside Caesar Salad with Chicken, 6.25 ounces
• H-E-B: Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole, 32-ounce box
• Aldi: Little Salad Bar Santa Fe Style Salad, 9 ounces, Little Salad Bar Chicken Caesar Salad, 6.3 ounces
• Trader Joe’s: Lemon Chicken & Arugula Salad, Turkey Club Wrap and Tarragon Chicken Salad Wrap

Fresh Express salads, like the Gourmet Cafe Salads Chicken Caesar, are sold at several grocery stores, including Walmart, Aldi, Fiesta Mart, Albertsons, and Target.

What is listeria?

Listeria is a type of bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause a severe infection called listeriosis, according to the CDC. This infection typically arises from consuming contaminated food, particularly deli meats, unpasteurized dairy products, and ready-to-eat foods like salads and soft cheeses.

Listeriosis poses a significant risk to certain groups, including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In healthy individuals, it may cause mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. However, in vulnerable populations, it can lead to severe complications, including meningitis (inflammation of the brain's protective membranes), septicemia (a bloodstream infection), or even death.

Pregnant women are at heightened risk because listeriosis can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns. The bacteria can survive and grow at refrigerator temperatures, making it challenging to control in some foods. Because nothing says "delicious" like a side of bacteria-infused salad.

What are the symptoms of listeria?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 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

How to prevent foodborne illness at home

According to the Federal Drug & Food Administration, here are some tips to prevent foodborne sickness and contamination in your home:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food.
• Clean kitchen surfaces, utensils, and cutting boards with hot, soapy water before and after food prep.
• Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
• Cook foods to the right temperature. Use a food thermometer to check internal temperatures.
• Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours, and within one hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C).
• Thaw foods safely in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave, but never on the counter.
• Avoid consuming raw or undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, and unpasteurized dairy products.
• Check expiration dates and properly store food according to package instructions.
• Pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems should steer clear of certain foods, like unpasteurized or raw milk, cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, raw fish, raw sprouts, and other raw foods, which pose a high risk of L. monocytogenes infection.
• Pet owners should be diligent to prevent cross-contamination when preparing their pet’s food. Always pick up and thoroughly wash food dishes immediately after pets finish eating. Ensure that children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems avoid handling or being exposed to the food or pets that might have consumed potentially contaminated food.

— USA TODAY contributed to this report.