10 million pounds of chicken and meat products recalled due to listeria risk

A recall of nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and chicken products affects items sold at major stores nationwide, including Trader Joe's, Wegmans, 7-Eleven and Kroger.

BrucePac, a manufacturer of precooked meat and poultry, initiated the recall Wednesday after products tested by the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Further investigation revealed that the Oklahoma-based company's ready-to-eat chicken was the source of the contamination, and BrucePac and the Department of Agriculture have since provided additional information and updates on specific affected products.

The list of recalled items consists primarily of pre-made salads, burritos and wraps containing chicken, sometimes along with other meats such as bacon or ham. The items were produced from June 19 to October 8, the Agriculture Department said in its announcement. Most products' expiration dates have expired, but some frozen meals – from brands like Jenny Craig and Michelina's – will last until 2025 or 2026.

Other stores that sold potentially contaminated food include Walmart, Meijer, Giant Eagle, Amazon, Target and Aldi, as well as some gas stations and corner stores.

There have been no reported illnesses or deaths associated with BrucePac meat.

Some affected products may still be on store shelves, in refrigerators or in consumers' homes, the Agriculture Department said. It urged companies not to sell remaining products that could be affected and urged consumers to throw away or return any recalled items they may have. BrucePac did not specify whether consumers would be eligible for refunds or discounts.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

On a frequently asked questions page on its website, BrucePac wrote: “We are committed to providing safe and high quality products. We are working closely with the USDA to ensure all necessary measures are taken to ensure a safe food supply. We will only resume production once we are sure the problem has been resolved.”

An automated recording played to those who call the company addresses the callback and says, “Your health and well-being is our priority.”

Listeria infections pose the greatest risk to people who are elderly, have weakened immune systems, or are pregnant. According to the Food and Drug Administration, listeriosis is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1,600 people get listeriosis and 260 die from it each year.

Symptoms most often appear about two weeks after eating contaminated food, but can appear fairly immediately or last up to 10 weeks. These typically include fever, muscle pain, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Listeria infections can also cause intestinal illness with diarrhea and vomiting.

Treatment may include antibiotics, although not all patients need them – many recover after resting and drinking plenty of fluids.

Typically, there are several listeria outbreaks each year. In July, Boar's Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meat due to Listeria concerns. Nine deaths have been linked to this outbreak. An earlier recall of cheese products from dairy maker Rizo Lopez was linked to two listeria deaths and more than 20 hospitalizations. Last week, federal authorities ordered the company to cease operations.