Costco has issued a recall for several of its chicken products over concerns of potential listeria contamination, a move that is part of a broader national recall linked to meat supplier BrucePac. The recall affects ready-to-eat chicken items sold at Costco and other major retailers, including Walmart, Publix, Target, Aldi, and Trader Joe's, according to a recent company announcement.
The latest recall includes products such as Rana Chicken Truffle Carbonara and Tagliatelle Grilled White Chicken & Portabello Mushroom Sauce, which were sold between September and October 2024. In an official letter to customers on October 11, Costco advised those who purchased these products to return them for a full refund. These items were recalled as part of a nationwide effort to address potential listeria contamination in pre-cooked chicken products from BrucePac, a leading supplier of ready-to-eat meat products.
Costco had previously recalled several other food items, including the Readywise 110 Serving Emergency Protein Bucket, Red's Southwestern Grill Chicken Mini Burritos, and El Monterey Mexican Grill Chicken & Cheese Taquitos. The recall was expanded after routine testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) detected Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness, on BrucePac's ready-to-eat poultry products.
BrucePac's recall involves nearly 10 million pounds of pre-cooked meat that were distributed to stores, restaurants, schools, and other institutions across the country. The USDA has released a detailed 343-page list of affected products, which were produced between May 31, 2024, and October 8, 2024. According to the agency, the listeria contamination was identified through routine testing, and there have been no confirmed cases of illness associated with the recalled products thus far.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, and gastrointestinal issues. In pregnant individuals, the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery. For older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those with certain underlying health conditions, listeriosis can result in severe or life-threatening infections. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is essential for those who experience symptoms after consuming contaminated food.
Customers who purchased the recalled products are being advised not to consume them and to either discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Costco, as well as other retailers, has been actively notifying affected customers and providing information on how to return or dispose of the products. The company emphasized that consumer safety is its top priority, urging people to take action promptly.
BrucePac, based in Durant, Oklahoma, has also responded to the recall, working with federal regulators to mitigate any potential risk to the public. The company noted that it has taken steps to remove the affected products from the market and continues to cooperate with authorities to ensure that the contamination does not spread further.
The USDA classified the recall as a Class 1 recall, which is the most serious type, reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. As a result, consumers are urged to take the recall seriously, particularly those in higher-risk categories, including pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
