A recent food recall has been announced on nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat. Here are some details and ways to keep your family healthy.
Beware of a Food Recall
Firstly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) discovered the issue during “regular product testing” according to reports. BrucePac, the company that produced the ready-to-eat meat, has been found to have Listeria in nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry. However, certain store brands have yet to be named. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult to prevent foodborne illness in families nationwide.
Details about the Recall
While there’s still a lot to learn about the recall, some details have been shared with the public in the hopes of preventing foodborne illnesses from spreading. For instance, the FSIS is concerned that some of the contaminated meat involved in the recall has already hit shelves and may already be in people’s refrigerators or freezers.
The Recall Applies to These Dates
The recall applies to any ready-to-eat meat and poultry handled and packaged between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, and was shipped to “other establishments and distributors nationwide,” according to the recall.
Processed Meat is the Most Susceptible
Meanwhile, the USDA has released a list of codes for the products associated with the recall. The list went out to distributors urged to remove the ready-to-eat meat and poultry from shelves. While no brand label names have been released the USDA report includes products such as deli meat, hot dogs, and other processed meat items. However, there’s no information at this time regarding frozen meats.
Concerns of Exposure
If you’re concerned that you may have meat from the recall the best thing to do is get rid of it. Avoid eating processed meats and thoroughly cook steaks and poultry throughout to ensure bacteria is killed, minimizing the risk of Listeria.
Understanding Listeria
When people hear the word recall, it’s often the cause of panic or distress. Understandably, it’s an unsettling word but having better knowledge about foodborne illness can help.
A Little Good News
Listeria is a foodborne bacteria that can cause severe illness, but there is some good news. Listeria only affects newborn people with a compromised immune system and people 65 and older.
Symptoms of Listeria
The symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea and according to the Mayo Clinic can take up to 30 days to appear. As such, you should consult with your primary care provider if you are concerned that you or someone in your family has been exposed to listeria or products associated with this recall.
To Learn More About the Recall
Several details of the recall are still unclear as researchers investigate the matter further. To learn more about this recall, and others, check with the USDA.Gov page and USDA.