Leah Berenson

Leah Berenson

October 12, 2024

Almost 10 Million Pounds Of Meat Recalled Due to Listeria Concerns

A recent food recall has been announced on nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat. Here are some details and ways to keep your family healthy. 

Beware of a Food Recall

VA, USA - 9 Feb 2024: Food safety recall on empty meat racks for cotija cheese products made by Rizo-Lopez Foods concerning listeria monocytogenes. Elderly, newborns, and weak immunity most at risk
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Firstly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) discovered the issue during “regular product testing” according to reports. BrucePac, the company that produced the ready-to-eat meat, has been found to have Listeria in nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry. However, certain store brands have yet to be named. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult to prevent foodborne illness in families nationwide. 

Details about the Recall

Blurred background of a grocery store employee removing recalled product with the red text Recall in the foreground
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While there’s still a lot to learn about the recall, some details have been shared with the public in the hopes of preventing foodborne illnesses from spreading. For instance, the FSIS is concerned that some of the contaminated meat involved in the recall has already hit shelves and may already be in people’s refrigerators or freezers. 

The Recall Applies to These Dates

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan - August 27, 2024: USDA Prime Beef logo at the Costco meat section
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The recall applies to any ready-to-eat meat and poultry handled and packaged between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, and was shipped to “other establishments and distributors nationwide,” according to the recall. 

Processed Meat is the Most Susceptible

Lake Oswego, OR, USA - Mar 11, 2022: USDA Organic label is seen at the entrance to the Clean Juice, an organic juice bar and food store in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
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Meanwhile, the USDA has released a list of codes for the products associated with the recall. The list went out to distributors urged to remove the ready-to-eat meat and poultry from shelves. While no brand label names have been released the USDA report includes products such as deli meat, hot dogs, and other processed meat items. However, there’s no information at this time regarding frozen meats. 

Concerns of Exposure

Los Angeles, California, United States - 05-05-2023: A view of the Costco meat department.
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If you’re concerned that you may have meat from the recall the best thing to do is get rid of it. Avoid eating processed meats and thoroughly cook steaks and poultry throughout to ensure bacteria is killed, minimizing the risk of Listeria. 

Understanding Listeria

New York, NY, USA - July 11, 2024: Boar's Head deli in Fairway Market on 766 6th Avenue, New York City. It offers variety of hams, cheeses, sausages and other products.
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When people hear the word recall, it’s often the cause of panic or distress. Understandably, it’s an unsettling word but having better knowledge about foodborne illness can help. 

A Little Good News

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Listeria is a foodborne bacteria that can cause severe illness, but there is some good news. Listeria only affects newborn people with a compromised immune system and people 65 and older. 

Symptoms of Listeria

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The symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea and according to the Mayo Clinic can take up to 30 days to appear. As such, you should consult with your primary care provider if you are concerned that you or someone in your family has been exposed to listeria or products associated with this recall.

To Learn More About the Recall

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Several details of the recall are still unclear as researchers investigate the matter further. To learn more about this recall, and others, check with the USDA.Gov page and USDA.

Sources

  1. “9.86 Million Pounds of Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Have Been Recalled.” ToH. Lara Eucalano
  2. “BrucePac recalls 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat: See list of 75 products affected.” USA Today