1.7M More Pounds Of Meat Recalled, Including Food Shipped To Schools

Latest update, Friday 12:32 p.m.: List Of Schools That Got Meat Recalled For Listeria Released

Original story:

DURANT, OK — A massive recall of meat and poultry products over possible listeria contamination has expanded to include food shipped to schools.

In an update posted Tuesday, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Oklahoma-based BrucePac added 1,779,040 pounds of food to its initial recall issued last week. In all, the company is recalling more than 11.7 million pounds of meat and poultry products after routine testing confirmed they tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The newest expansion includes products shipped to schools. A school distribution list was not released Wednesday but will be provided by the FSIS when available, the agency said.

On Oct. 9, BrucePac recalled nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products over possible listeria contamination. The initial three-page list included 75 products like chicken patties, chicken strips, fajita meat and diced chicken.

RELATED: 10M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry Recalled Amid Listeria Concerns

The items were produced between June 19 and Oct. 8, according to the alert. The products were shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide and then distributed to restaurants and institutions.

In later updates, food safety officials said ready-to-eat salads and wraps sold at Walmart, Trader Joe's and Aldi were among dozens of products included in a massive recall. Additional items including pastas and frozen meals sold at Costco and other stores may also be contaminated.

RELATED: Listeria Recall: Walmart, Trader Joe's, Aldi Sold Affected Products | More Products Implicated In Massive Meat, Poultry Recall: See New List

See the full list of recalled products, plus labels, lot codes and use-by dates here.

"FSIS is continuing to gather distribution information and is committed to ensuring consumers have the information needed to identify recalled products effectively," the agency said Wednesday.

BrucePac produces various meat products, including chicken, beef, turkey and pork. Its website says it serves industrial, food service and retail clients.

No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported, according to the alert.

Eating food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. People outside these risk groups are less affected.

Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, and are sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

The new recall comes amid a continued investigation into a listeria outbreak tied to Boar's Head deli meats and liverwurst. In three months, the outbreak has killed 10 people and sickened 59 in 19 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Federal health officials said they were concerned many of the affected BrucePac products may be available for use in restaurants, institutions, and other establishments. These establishments may have used affected meat and poultry in ready-to-eat products that may be on store shelves or in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

Consumers, restaurants, institutions and other establishments are urged not to serve or use these products. The products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Jeff Golangco, vice president of business development at BrucePac, at 503-874-3000.