A recall involving nearly 10 million pounds of meat and chicken products has recently widened due to concerns of listeria contamination. Initially limited to lesser-known brands, the recall now affects well-known grocery chains across the U.S., including Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, and many more.
This expansion follows a listeria detection at BrucePac’s Oklahoma facility, identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service. BrucePac, based in Oregon, supplies ready-to-eat chicken products to numerous retailers, many of which incorporate these items into prepared foods.
Which Products Are Affected?
As of Sunday, a comprehensive 203-page document lists the impacted products, most notably ready-to-eat salads with “best by” dates of October 13 or earlier. Some frozen food items from brands like Great Value (Walmart), Boston Market, and H-E-B are also recalled.
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Understanding Listeria’s Risks
Listeria is a serious concern, ranking as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S. Each year, it leads to approximately 1,600 infections and around 260 deaths. Symptoms can appear swiftly or up to 10 weeks later, complicating efforts to pinpoint the cause of any illness.
Typical signs mimic food poisoning, including diarrhea and vomiting, often starting within 24 hours of eating contaminated food.
Affected Stores
Currently, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the recalled BrucePac products. Customers with these items are encouraged to return them for a full refund. Here’s a quick rundown of the affected retailers:
- Walmart: Marketside and Great Value.
- Kroger: Includes its chain stores like Ralphs, Dillon’s, and King Soopers.
- Publix: Publix Deli Chicken Street Taco Kit (best by date June 24 – October 16).
- Albertsons: Signature Select and chain stores like Safeway and Vons.
- Costco: Red’s Mini Burritos.
- Meijer: Ready-to-eat salads.
- Amazon Fresh: Fresh brand ready-to-eat and frozen meals.
- Aldi: Little Salad Bar salads and Fusia products.
- Giant Eagle: Giant Eagle brand salads.
- Target: Good & Gather salads and frozen meals.
- Trader Joe’s: Ready-to-eat salads and frozen entrees.
- Burrito 28 and Don Pancho’s: Various chicken meal kits.
- Dole: Ready-to-eat salads.
For frozen foods, stores affected include:
- H-E-B: Three frozen chicken meals.
- El Monterey: Various chicken meals including Taquitos.
- Additionally: Udi’s Gluten Free, Atkins, Boston Market, and more.