Listeria Meat Recall Affects Walmart, Amazon & More: Full List of Products
A recall involving nearly 10 million pounds of meat and chicken products over fears of listeria contamination has expanded to include store brands at major grocery chains across the United States. This significant recall initially focused on lesser-known labels but now encompasses well-known retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, H-E-B, Target, Meijer, Amazon Fresh, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and more.
Source of Contamination
The expanded recall follows confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service of listeria contamination at a BrucePac facility in Durant, Oklahoma. This contamination was identified in ready-to-eat chicken products, leading to a widespread recall. BrucePac, based in Oregon, supplies meat and poultry products to various brands and retailers, many of which incorporate these products into prepared foods.
What Products Are Included in the Recall?
By Sunday, the list of recalled items had grown significantly, now comprising an extensive 203-page PDF detailing affected products. The majority of these items are ready-to-eat salads with a “best by” date of October 13 or earlier. Additionally, some frozen foods sold under familiar brands, such as Great Value (Walmart), Boston Market, H-E-B, and El Monterey, are also included in the recall.
Health Risks Associated with Listeria
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States. It accounts for approximately 1,600 cases of food poisoning annually, resulting in around 260 fatalities. Symptoms of listeria infection can manifest shortly after exposure or may take up to 10 weeks to appear, making it challenging to pinpoint the source of contamination.
Symptoms of Listeria Infection
The signs and symptoms of listeria infection vary depending on the individual and the site of the infection. In most cases, the bacteria remain in the gut, causing typical food poisoning symptoms, including:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
These symptoms usually begin within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and can last for one to three days. In more severe cases, listeria can spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract, leading to more serious complications.
Recent History of Listeria Contamination
Earlier this year, Boar’s Head deli meat products were voluntarily recalled due to listeria contamination, resulting in 59 hospitalizations and 10 deaths. This underscores the ongoing risk posed by listeria in food products.
Affected Retail Stores and Products
So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with these BrucePac products. However, consumers who possess any recalled items are urged to return them to the store for a full refund. The following is a list of retail chains affected by the recall:
- Walmart: Marketside and Great Value
- Kroger: Kroger store brand (also in chains like Ralphs, Dillon’s, and King Soopers)
- Publix: Publix Deli Chicken Street Taco Kit (best by dates: June 24 through October 16)
- Albertsons: Signature Select (includes chains owned by Albertsons like Safeway and Vons)
- Costco: Red’s Mini Burritos
- Meijer: Meijer ready-to-eat salads
- Amazon Fresh: Amazon Fresh brand ready-to-eat and frozen dishes
- Aldi: Little Salad Bar ready-to-eat salads and Fusia
- Giant Eagle: Giant Eagle brand salads
- Target: Good & Gather ready-to-eat salads and frozen meals
- Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s ready-to-eat salads and frozen meals
- Burrito 28: Chicken Quesadilla, Chicken Street Taco, Chicken Burrito Bowl, Green Chile Chicken Enchilada express meal kits
- Don Pancho’s: Chicken Quesadilla, Chicken Street Taco, Green Chile Chicken Enchilada express meal kits
- Dole: Ready-to-eat salads
Additional Frozen Food Brands Affected
Among the frozen food products impacted by this recall are those from the following brands:
- H-E-B: Three H-E-B frozen chicken meals
- El Monterey: Chicken Enchilada meal, Spicy Chipotle Chicken Bowl, Chicken and Cheese Taquitos
- Udi’s Gluten Free
- Atkins
- Boston Market
- Eat! Asian Style
- Gordon Choice
- Jenny Craig
- Michael Angelo’s
- Michelina’s
- Rao’s
- Whitson’s Culinary Group
Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant about food safety and to return any recalled products to the store to mitigate potential health risks associated with listeria contamination. Staying informed about such recalls is essential for public health and safety.
