Massive meat and poultry recall due to listeria impacts major grocery chains

A significant recall of nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products has impacted several major grocery chains across the U.S.

The recall includes store brands from top retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Target, Amazon Fresh and Trader Joe’s as well-known brands like Atkins, Boston Market, Dole, Fresh Express, Rao’s, Michael Angelo’s, Don Pancho’s, Bistro 28, Jenny Craig and El Monterey.

According to The Seattle Times, the recall was initiated by BrucePac, an Oregon-based company, after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service detected listeria in a ready-to-eat chicken product at their Durant, Oklahoma, facility. The recall covers all ready-to-eat meat and poultry items produced at this facility between June 19 and October 8, totaling approximately 9,986,245 pounds of beef, pork, turkey and chicken.

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Listeria is a foodborne illness that affects approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. each year, with about 260 fatalities. It poses significant risks to pregnant women, young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include headache, muscle aches, fever, loss of balance and, in severe cases, seizures.

Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for any recalled products and to follow the guidance provided for returns and refunds.

Initially, the recall affected products sold under BrucePac’s own brands, including BrucePac, City Grillers and Urban Bruce. However, due to the company’s role as a supplier to other brands and retailers, the recall has since expanded to include a wide range of products.

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The ripple effect of the recall has led to additional recalls from various retailers and brands. Fresh Express premade salads with chicken, Walmart’s Marketside brand, Aldi’s Little Salad Bar brand, Trader Joe’s, and H-E-B store brands are among those affected. By Sunday evening, the list of recalled products had grown to fill a 203-page document, primarily consisting of ready-to-eat salads with “best by” dates on or before October 13, as well as some frozen products.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled items are advised to return them to the store for a full refund. The affected products include:

• Walmart: Marketside and Great Value brands.
• Kroger: Kroger store brand and associated chains like Ralphs, Dillon’s, and King Soopers.
• Publix: Publix Deli Chicken Street Taco Kit.
• Albertsons: Signature Select brand, including Safeway and Vons.
• Costco: Red’s Mini Burritos.
• Meijer: Ready-to-eat salads.
• Amazon Fresh: Ready-to-eat and frozen dishes.
• Aldi: Little Salad Bar ready-to-eat salads and Fusia.
• Giant Eagle: Brand salads.
• Target: Good & Gather ready-to-eat salads and frozen meals.
• Trader Joe’s: Ready-to-eat salads and frozen meals.
• Bistro 28: Various chicken meal kits.
• Don Pancho’s: Various chicken meal kits.
• Dole: Ready-to-eat salads.
• H-E-B: Frozen chicken meals.
• El Monterey: Various chicken meals.
• Other brands: Udi’s Gluten Free, Atkins, Boston Market, Eat! Asian Style, Gordon Choice, Jenny Craig, Michael Angelo’s, Michelina’s, Rao’s and Whitson’s Culinary Group.

Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here.