More than 20 New York-area school cafeterias are included in the nationwide recall of approximately 12 million pounds of beef and chicken that may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The recalled cooked meat products from Oklahoma-based Bruce Pack were sent to about 200 schools across the country. According to the preliminary list The agency announced Thursday.
of USDA stated its safety and inspection services “We are working diligently to identify all recalled products distributed to consumers, including products purchased by schools.”
The New York schools to which the potentially contaminated meat was sent are located in New York City and Long Island.
Some schools in Newark, New Jersey, near the state line, were among those in the New York area affected.
Schools influenced by the New York area
- Blessed Sacrament of Staten Island
- Brooklyn Avenue School at Valley Stream
- Bronx International Leadership Cs High School
- Bronx Neighborhoods Cs Bronx
- New York Neighborhood Cs Harlem
- New Hyde Park Road School in New Hyde Park
- Newark's North Star Alexander S B-3
- Northstar Clinton Hill Ms. Newark
- North Star Lincoln Park Ele B4 in Newark
- North Star Vailsburg S in Newark
- North Star Vailsburg MS in Newark
- North Star West Side Ms. Newark
- North Star West Side Park Es in Newark
- Staten Island Nwpcs Clover
- Nwpcs Morningstar in Staten Island
- Nwpcs Villas in Staten Island
- Rcacs Centennial Avenue in Roosevelt
- Rcacs Pleasant Avenue in Roosevelt
- Robert Carbonaro of Valley Stream
- St. Charles on Staten Island
- William L. Buck of Valley Stream
The major meat processor originally announced a recall of 10 million pounds of product on Oct. 10, then expanded the recall to an additional 1.7 million pounds on Wednesday.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the meat and poultry included in the recall were produced between May 31 and October 8.
U.S. regulators said the potentially contaminated products include frozen foods and fresh salads sold at major chains such as Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Kroger and Publix.
Food packages typically have barcodes that indicate when they were manufactured and on which factory line.
Products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes have a number “51205” or “P-51205” near the USDA inspection mark, the agency said.
So far, there are no known illnesses or deaths associated with the BrucePac recall.
“However, the disease may be occurring in multiple states, and health officials have not yet connected the epidemiological dots,” food safety attorney Bill Mahler previously told the Post.
Listeria monocytogenes is a serious infection that poses the greatest risk to the elderly, immunocompromised, and pregnant women, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It can cause fever, aches, headaches, stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and diarrhea, officials said.
Experts say the incubation period for this bacterium is 3 to 70 days.
The recall affected frozen foods so much that consumers may be leaving contaminated products in their refrigerators.
Listeria monocytogenes can survive in frozen foods, but heating the food often kills the bacteria, James Marsden, a food safety consultant and former USDA adviser, previously told the Post.
This major recall comes as the agency is conducting an internal investigation into the handling of Boar's Head.
In July, the famous brand recalled more than 7 million pounds of cold meat due to listeria contamination.
The disease has killed at least 10 people and hospitalized dozens.
Boar's Head operated a dirty, insect-infested meat factory with dozens of health and safety violations over the years.
