A possible Listeria infection has prompted the recall of almost 11 million pounds of ready-to-eat beef, making it one of the largest food safety events of 2024.
This widespread recall impacts several businesses in the US, including restaurants, stores, schools, and other establishments. It covers a wide variety of goods provided by BrucePac, a significant supplier of protein.
This recall is especially troubling for Costco customers because the massive warehouse company has taken four well-liked goods off its shelves. Continue reading to learn more about the recall, the impacted products, and what you should do if you have bought any of the recalled goods.
Why Is Listeria Dangerous and What Does It Mean?
Listeriosis is a dangerous infection with potentially fatal health effects caused by a bacterium called Listeria. Listeriosis can strike anybody, although it is more dangerous for those who:
- Expectant mothers and their unborn children
- Infants
- senior citizens
- Individuals whose immune systems are compromised
Typical signs of an infection with Listeria include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms
Usually, these symptoms appear a few days to weeks after ingesting tainted food. Severe infections may result in more serious complications, including meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, or septicemia, which is blood poisoning. It may cause a miscarriage, stillbirth, or early delivery in expectant mothers.
The Bruce Pac Recall: Important Information
Following a routine test by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which found Listeria in some of BrucePac’s ready-to-eat chicken, the recall was formally announced on October 9, 2024.
Although no documented cases of illness linked to the tainted items have been reported yet, the recall was issued as a precautionary measure to avoid any possible health hazards.
Because BrucePac’s goods are widely available, the recall affects many food products and brands. Certain firms include BrucePac meats in their dishes, while others repackage the meats and sell them under their own brands. As a result, recalls from other food manufacturers and merchants have spread even further.
Costco is one of the companies impacted by the recall; it has already removed several products from its shelves. Knowing which goods have been recalled and what to do if you purchase at Costco is important.
Affected Costco Products by the Recall
Following the BrucePac recall, Costco has taken four significant goods out of their shops. Make sure you’ve bought any of the following, as these are well-liked products that many clients may already have in their kitchens:
1. Meal Kits from Rana
Two meal packages under the Rana brand have been recalled because BrucePac chicken may have contaminated them with Listeria. These are the following:
- Chicken Truffle Carbonara
- Tagliatelle Grilled White Chicken & Portobello Mushroom Sauce
Customers who bought these meal kits between September and October 2024 received a letter from Costco on October 11 informing them of the recall. The business encourages clients to:
- Avoid consuming the meal kits
- Return them to Costco for a full refund
During business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, you may reach Rana Meal Solutions at (888) 326-2721 if you have any questions or issues. In addition, Costco requested that consumers notify anybody who might have received one of these meal packages as a gift of the recall.
2. Taquitos with Cheese and Chicken from El Monterey Mexican Grill
Costco customers should also know about El Monterey Mexican Grill Chicken & Cheese Taquitos, another well-liked product. The BrucePac infection has also resulted in a recall of this popular freezer product.
The large volume of impacted items adds to the complexity of this recall. According to Costco, the recall covers over 50 distinct “best if used by” dates from mid-October 2025 to late December 2025.
Don’t eat these taquitos if you have them at home. Rather, send them back to Costco to receive a refund. El Monterey’s parent firm, Ruiz Foods, may be reached by consumers at 1-800-772-6474, extension 2500, for further information or inquiries.
3. Red’s Mini Burritos with Grilled Chicken Southwestern Style
The Red’s Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos are the third product affected by the recall. This product is new to Costco and has only been offered in a few areas, mostly in the Midwest.
Red’s decided to recall the burritos out of an excess of caution, even though they had told customers that their goods tested negative for Listeria. Red’s stated: “Our customers’ health and safety are our top priorities.
One of our chicken suppliers, BrucePac, announced a recall of some poultry goods on October 9, 2024, citing a potential Listeria infection. We have voluntarily recalled a small quantity of our items due to excessive caution.
The following best-by dates are associated with the recalled burritos:
- March 27, 2026
- April 1, 2026
- April 2, 2026
- April 7, 2026
What to Do If Your Products Have Been Recalled
The actions to take if you bought any of the recalled items from Costco are as follows:
- Avoid consuming any of the goods that are impacted.
- For a complete refund, return the item to your nearby Costco.
- Look through additional products in your kitchen that could be included in the broader BrucePac recall. See any further recall announcements or the FSIS website for a full list of all impacted goods.
Listeria may be exceedingly harmful, especially for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, newborns, elderly folks, and those with compromised immune systems, even though there haven’t been any instances of sickness linked to these recalled goods yet.
Conclusion
The recall of more than 11 million pounds of ready-to-eat beef products is among the worst food safety events of 2024. Although there haven’t been any verified instances of illnesses linked to Listeria from these goods, anyone who often buys prepared meals from Costco should exercise extreme caution due to the possibility of major health risks.
If you have any affected goods in your kitchen, it’s critical to cease using them and return them to the retailer immediately. Red’s burritos, El Monterey taquitos, and Costco’s Rana meal packages are just a handful of the products being removed from store shelves in reaction to the recall.
You can protect your home from the hazards of Listeria infection by being watchful, inspecting your kitchen, and following the recall recommendations.
To prevent health issues, always be informed about any food recall updates and carefully treat any possible contamination.
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