The meat recall that has impacted hundreds of products at Walmart, Target, and several grocery stores has grown even larger.
Another round of ready-to-eat products has been added to the recall list, totaling another 1.8 million pounds, bringing the grand total of the recall to 11.8 million pounds. Officials warn the meat and poultry components of these meals could be contaminated with listeria.
The list of products from BrucePac that have been recalled, from premade salads to frozen and ready-to-heat meals is now 342 pages long.
The most recent update to the recall list also notes that some recalled products were distributed to schools, but a complete distribution list of those products is not yet available.
There have not yet been any confirmed reports of consumers suffering adverse reactions to any of the recalled foods.
This recall is separate from the recall of Boar’s Head products, which took place in July and August. In that event, over 7 million pounds of the deli meat was recalled after nine people died and 50 more were hospitalized.
Listeria poisoning is caused by a particularly resilient type of bacteria that can survive and grow even during refrigeration. Symptoms can start within a few hours or days after eating contaminated food, but can also take weeks or up to three months to show up. Young people, seniors over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant are most vulnerable.
Authorities are urging people who have purchased the recalled items to throw them out or return them to the point of purchase for a refund.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service initially alerted consumers to the recall on Oct. 9. Products were sold in the following stores:
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
- Aldi
- Target
- HEB
- Giant Eagle
- Kroger
Several major brands were also impacted by the recall, including:
- Jenny Craig
- Atkins
- Signature Select
- Boston Market
- Amazon Fresh
- Michelina’s
- Rao’s
- Dole