Ready-to-eat meat recall due to listeria concerns impacts some New Jersey schools

Some of the schools are located in Jersey City, Newark, New Brunswick, Plainfield and Woodland Park.

Sarah Goode

Oct 18, 2024, 9:53 PM

Updated 68 days ago

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A recall of nearly 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry following concerns of listeria contamination is impacting some New Jersey schools, according to the USDA Food and Safety Inspection Service.
In New Jersey, recalled items were sold at stores including Walmart, Sam's Club, Aldi and Trader Joe's.
Now, the USDA shared a list of schools around the country that received products that include those found in the recall.
Some of these schools are located in Jersey City, Newark, New Brunswick, Plainfield and Woodland Park.
One school food provider, Whitsons Culinary Group, contacted its clients in the state following the recall.
In an email, Whitsons Culinary Group told News 12, "The product lots received by Whitsons were not part of the batches that tested positive...The recall only affected a small number of our clients and we worked quickly with each one to recall all outstanding items, which have been returned to us and destroyed."
The company would not say if any of the recalled items were found in New Jersey. It told News 12 that it has been in contact with its clients that were affected but cannot disclose any additional details.
A spokesperson for the state Department of Health wrote in a statement, "The Department of Health is working with local and county health departments to take steps to ensure the recalled products are segregated and/or discarded at the schools affected and to be vigilant at other schools across the state during routine inspections."
Health officials said that individuals at higher risk for medical complications, including older adults (over 65) or those with a weakened immune system should follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
News 12 reached out to the state Department of Education but did not yet hear back.
Find out more information about the recall and see the full list of schools.