The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising consumers that BrucePac is again expanding its October 9 recall of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. BrucePac is recalling approximately 11,765,285 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced from May 31, 2024, to October 8, 2024. These products were shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide then distributed to restaurants, schools and institutions. The products subject to recall bear establishment numbers "51205 or P-51205" inside or under the USDA mark of inspection.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, people outside these risk groups are affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the healthcare provider about eating the contaminated food.
Some product may be available for use in restaurants, institutions, schools, and other establishments. These other establishments may have used affected meat and poultry in products that may be on store shelves or in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants, institutions, schools, and other establishments are urged not to serve or use these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can send an email to bprecallinfo@brucepac.com or contact Seth Leeper, Recall Coordinator, at 503-874-3000.