October 14, 2024
USDA recalls nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry due to listeria concerns
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant recall of millions of pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products, after concerns that the products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria, WKBN reported.
According to an alert from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the affected products were produced by BrucePac, a company based in Durant, Oklahoma, US.
These products were then distributed to establishments and distributors nationwide, including restaurants and institutions. Further details regarding the specific product labels and a comprehensive list of the affected items will be released by the USDA when available.
The USDA estimates that approximately 9.9 million pounds of meat and poultry are being recalled. The affected products can be identified by the establishment numbers "51205 or P-51205," which appear inside or beneath the USDA mark of inspection.
The USDA has urged restaurants and other establishments to refrain from serving the recalled products.
The contamination issue was identified during routine product testing, when a sample of BrucePac's ready-to-eat chicken tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.
To date, no confirmed cases of illness related to the recalled products have been reported. However, the USDA advises that anyone concerned about potential illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Listeria monocytogenes is known to cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, as well as their newborns. The infection can lead to symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and convulsions, often preceded by gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea.
The USDA continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
- WKBN
