If you’ve recently purchased any ready-to-eat chicken products, you might want to reconsider before eating them. According to BrucePac and the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), major retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, and more, have recalled nearly 10,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to a potential outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes.
According to a press release from the FSIS, any ready-to-eat meat and poultry items distributed between June 19, 2024 and October 8, 2024, may be affected by the listeria outbreak. However, there have been no confirmed cases of listeria from consuming these products; if you have an adverse reaction, it’s best to contact a healthcare provider.
Listeriosis—the name for the infection caused by Listeria—is a foodborne bacterial illness that includes symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, confusion, loss of balance, and more. Pregnant people, those over 65, and people with compromised immune systems should be especially careful about consuming these products.
Chicken Recall: Which Products Are Affected?
The FSIS released a list of 300+ meat and poultry products affected by the recall, including fan favorites like Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast, Dole’s Classic Chicken Caesar Salad, Rao’s Chicken Alfredo, and more. A variety of salad bowls, chicken wraps, sandwiches, and pasta bowls are on the list. “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the press release states. Restaurants may be affected by the recall as well, since packaged frozen foods are used across a variety of establishments. Search the list linked above for any ready-to-eat chicken products you may have in your fridge at the moment.
Additionally, products labeled with establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205”—which can be found under the U.S. Department of Agriculture mark of inspection—are all subject to recall. Take a look at your ready-to-eat meat and poultry products to make sure they’re safe to eat.