By Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
HealthDay
FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Oklahoma meat processor BrucePac is recalling close to 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry that may have been contaminated with the Listeria bacterium.
In an announcement updated this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), the meat was produced between mid-June and Oct. 8 of this year and “shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide then distributed to restaurants and institutions.”
“FSIS is concerned that some product may be available for use in restaurants, institutions, and other establishments,” the agency said.
All of the recalled meats include establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205 either inside or under the USDA mark of inspection on labeling.
Full information on product labeling and the list of products under recall is still being compiled and will be published when available, FSIS said.
“The problem was discovered after FSIS performed routine product testing of finished product containing [ready to eat] poultry products produced by BrucePac and confirmed those products positive for Listeria monocytogenes,” an FSIS statement said. “Subsequent FSIS investigation identified BrucePac RTE chicken as the source.”
So far there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the consumption of the recalled products.
The new recall follows on headlines generated this year by a massive recall of Boar’s Head deli meats, most notably liverwurst, that was found to be contaminated with listeria.
As of Sept. 26, 10 deaths and 59 hospitalizations nationwide had been linked to contaminated Boar’s Head products.
Listeria bacteria can cause listeriosis, the third-leading cause of death from food-borne illness in the United States. Symptoms typically include a fever, muscle aches and fatigue. Infection may also cause a headache, a stiff neck, confusion or seizures. Pregnant women may experience pregnancy loss or premature birth.
“Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older or with weakened immune systems,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release. “[The] CDC always recommends people at higher risk for listeriosis avoid eating meats sliced at the deli or heat them to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating.”
Nearly 10 Million Pounds of Meat Recalled for Listeria—Is Your Kitchen at Risk?
The news follows a deadly Boar’s Head deli meat outbreak of the same bacteria
While recalls have become almost commonplace recently, the causes of products being pulled from shelves vary in severity. Amongst the most dangerous is contaminated food which could potentially lead to sickness and even death. The latest high-class alert: BrucePac, an Oklahoma-based supplier of chicken, beef, pork and turkey, has recalled 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products that may contain Listeria, the US Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday.
Everything to know about the recent meat recall
The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced from June 19, 2024, to October 8, 2024, according to the USDA. The products were shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide before being sent to restaurants and other facilities, the organization said.
The products subject to recall are labeled with establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205, which can be found inside or under the USDA mark of inspection.
“The problem was discovered after [Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)] performed routine product testing of finished product containing RTE poultry products produced by BrucePac and confirmed those products positive for Listeria monocytogenes,” reads the notice. “Subsequent FSIS investigation identified BrucePac RTE chicken as the source of the Listeria monocytogenes.”
Thankfully, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. However, the FSIS cautions that some products may currently be available for use in restaurants and other establishments, as well as on store shelves or in consumers’ kitchens.
Any place or person who may be in possession of affected products are being urged not to serve or use these products. The FSIS advises products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Meat and poultry products were the causes of a recent deadly Listeria outbreak
While no cases of illness related to this contamination have been reported, listeria poses a serious health and safety risk. This summer, the bacteria was at the center of a massive Boar’s Head recall.
The company recalled 207,000 pounds of deli meat products due to listeria monocytogenes concerns before expanding the recall, which ultimately included around 7 million pounds and 70 meat types.
More than 50 hospitalizations across 19 states and nine deaths have been linked to the contamination. This recall ranks as one of the nation’s largest in more than a decade, and led the manufacturer to shutter the Virginia plant from which the infected products came and cease liverwurst production permanently.
The dangers of listeria
Consuming or handling food contaminated with listeria can lead to a potentially fatal infection called listeriosis. Studies have shown that listeria monocytogenes is the third leading cause of death from food-borne illnesses in the United States, with around 260 deaths annually, according to the FDA. Even with sufficient antibiotic treatment, the disease has a high mortality rate of 20 to 30 percent.
After a person ingests the bacteria, it grows and spreads quickly throughout the liver and bloodstream. It can also spread to the brain and surrounding membranes as well as the gastrointestinal tract.
Older people and those with compromised immune systems have a higher risk of getting a more severe form of listeriosis, including inflammation around the brain, spinal cord and blood infection.
Symptoms of listeriosis vary depending on the type of infection and may occur suddenly, including fever, muscle aches, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
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