The latest listeria recall affects Trader Joe's and other retailers

Meat producer BrucePac is recalling nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products sold at Trader Joe's, Target, Kroger and other retailers because they may be contaminated with listeria.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the comprehensive recall last week. It includes hundreds of ready-to-eat items manufactured from June 19 to October 8 and distributed to restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses across the country.

The outbreak was discovered after state inspectors conducted routine testing of BrucePac poultry products and found them positive for listeria. Further investigation identified BrucePac's ready-to-eat chicken as the source of the bacteria.

There are no confirmed reports of people becoming ill from consuming the products. The products should be thrown away or returned to the point of purchase.

Which products are recalled?

Affected products include packaged salads, chicken wraps and bowls, and frozen entrees from brands such as Michelina's and Rao's.

Target is recalling its Good & Gather salads and other products. At Trader Joe's, the recall includes the White Meat Chicken Salad, Harvest Salad With Grilled Chicken, Pacific Salad With Chicken, Chicken Enchiladas Verde and Curry White Chicken Deli Salad.

Can I see the full list?

The USDA released a 326-page report document Display food labels of affected products.

The agency said the recalled products bear establishment numbers 51205 or P-51205 within or below the USDA inspection mark. But BrucePac on Friday noted that these numbers can only be found on packages shipped directly to its customers; Consumers will not find them on their retail packaging.

What is listeria and why is it dangerous?

Eating food contaminated with the bacteria can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects adults age 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Others can become infected with listeria but rarely become seriously ill.

Listeria can cause invasive disease and intestinal disease, the agency said. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and cramps, which are sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems.

What is BrucePac?

Founded in 1949, family-owned BrucePac produces precooked proteins that it sells to other companies that repackage the products or use them as ingredients in other foods.

The company operates two USDA processing plants – in Woodburn, Oregon, and Durant, Oklahoma, where it is based – that have the capacity to process millions of pounds of meat and poultry per week.

“We are working closely with the USDA to ensure all necessary measures are taken to ensure a safe food supply,” BrucePac said in a statement. “We will only resume production once we are sure the problem has been resolved.”

Wasn't there another major recall related to listeria this year?

The BrucePac recall follows a massive one retrieve of more than 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from deli company Boar's Head in Julyalso due to listeria contamination.

As a result of the multistate outbreak that sickened dozens of people and to which he has been linked 10 deathsBoar's Head permanently discontinued its liverwurst product and closed its Jarratt, Virginia facility.

What should I do if I suspect I have eaten contaminated food?

Anyone who is concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. Individuals in the higher risk category who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention and inform the provider about consuming the recalled products.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the USDA's toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) MPHotline or email a question to [email protected].