In recent weeks, Costco has found itself in the spotlight for multiple product recalls due to risks of Listeria contamination. On October 17, the company announced two new recalls involving the Readywise 110 Serving Emergency Protein Bucket and Red’s Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos.
The notice from Readywise pointed out that the recall was prompted by the possibility of Listeria contamination in chicken products supplied by their vendor. The Salt Lake City-based company urged customers to immediately stop consuming the product and return it to Costco for a full refund. Meanwhile, Red’s confirmed that the only affected product was the Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos (item number 1850156). The company emphasized that this expanded recall was a precautionary measure and reminded customers not to eat the product but to return it to Costco for a complete refund.
In addition to these recalls, BrucePac, a major meat processing company in the U.S., has announced a recall of nearly 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat beef and chicken products to prevent potential Listeria contamination. The United States Department of Agriculture issued its initial recall notice for BrucePac on October 9, subsequently updating a comprehensive 343-page document listing all affected products, encompassing hundreds of items that could contain contaminated meat.
According to the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Listeria infections pose a serious risk to elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal discomfort.
