In one of the largest food recalls of the year, nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products have been pulled from shelves and school cafeterias across the country due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), involves products from BrucePac, a Woodburn, Oregon-based food processing company.
The products in question were produced between June 19 and October 8, 2023, and have been distributed to vendors, retailers, and restaurants nationwide. Officials have urged consumers to check for products marked with establishment numbers "51205 or P-51205" beneath the USDA mark of inspection.
While no confirmed cases of illness have been reported so far, the FSIS stressed caution in a statement: "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." The agency discovered the contamination during routine testing, confirming that several of BrucePac's RTE poultry products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
For consumers, this recall has brought attention to several products, including those sold at popular Texas retailer H-E-B. Affected H-E-B products include their chicken broccoli and rice casserole, Texas ranch chicken casserole, and Texas ranch-style chicken with Ranchero Beans & Mexican Style Rice. The products, all with various "best by" dates in August and September 2025, are being pulled from shelves. FSIS has advised customers to discard the products or return them to the place of purchase.
The recall's impact extends beyond retail chains. In Philadelphia, the School District alerted parents and guardians that meals served to thousands of Pre-K and K-12 students are also part of the nationwide recall. The district's food supplier, Whitsons Culinary Group, confirmed that some chicken products used in school meals during late September and early October could be affected.
Meals including Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo and Chicken Strips with Honey Mustard, served to Pre-K students, and Chicken with BBQ Sauce, served to K-12 students, are all implicated. In a letter to families, Oz Hill, the Interim Deputy Superintendent of Operations for the district, emphasized that the affected items have been pulled from future meal services. Hill added, "Your child will not be served this item moving forward. If you have any questions, please contact the district for more information."
Although Listeria monocytogenes infections are rare, the bacteria can pose serious risks, especially to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly. According to Dr. Angela Skrzynski from Virtua Health, symptoms can mimic flu-like conditions and may take days or weeks to appear. "You may not even know you had a listeria ingestion," Skrzynski noted, adding that for many individuals, especially those aged between 2 and 60 who are healthy, the risk of severe illness remains low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes this sentiment, noting that while the infection can be serious, particularly for compromised immune systems, the general public is at lower risk.
As a precautionary measure, the Philadelphia Department of Health and the USDA have both confirmed that, as of now, there are no known cases of illness linked to the contaminated products, either locally or nationwide. However, food safety experts continue to advise vigilance, especially for consumers who may have stored the recalled items in their freezers.
This recall follows a pattern of increasing scrutiny over foodborne illnesses in the U.S., where contamination cases have raised concerns over the safety of mass-produced and distributed food products. In recent years, the USDA has worked to tighten safety protocols for food processors to mitigate risks of contamination.
As more consumers become aware of the recall, BrucePac and distributors like H-E-B and Whitsons Culinary Group are working to remove all contaminated items from circulation. While the situation is being closely monitored, officials from FSIS are still urging the public to stay informed.
Consumers should regularly check the FSIS website for updated lists of recalled items and remain cautious about consuming affected products. If you're unsure whether you've purchased contaminated items, it's best to discard them or return them to the store for a refund.
