diff --git a/core/src/shred_fetch_stage.rs b/core/src/shred_fetch_stage.rs
index 6f3e8889423bf4..434d580732e8f5 100644
--- a/core/src/shred_fetch_stage.rs
+++ b/core/src/shred_fetch_stage.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use {
         clock::{Slot, DEFAULT_MS_PER_SLOT},
         epoch_schedule::EpochSchedule,
         genesis_config::ClusterType,
-        packet::{Meta, PACKET_DATA_SIZE},
+        packet::{Packet, PACKET_DATA_SIZE},
         pubkey::Pubkey,
     },
     solana_streamer::streamer::{self, PacketBatchReceiver, StreamerReceiveStats},
@@ -350,9 +350,6 @@ pub(crate) fn receive_quic_datagrams(
         };
         let mut packet_batch =
             PacketBatch::new_with_recycler(&recycler, PACKETS_PER_BATCH, "receive_quic_datagrams");
-        unsafe {
-            packet_batch.set_len(PACKETS_PER_BATCH);
-        };
         let deadline = Instant::now() + PACKET_COALESCE_DURATION;
         let entries = std::iter::once(entry).chain(
             std::iter::repeat_with(|| quic_datagrams_receiver.recv_deadline(deadline).ok())
@@ -360,19 +357,16 @@ pub(crate) fn receive_quic_datagrams(
         );
         let size = entries
             .filter(|(_, _, bytes)| bytes.len() <= PACKET_DATA_SIZE)
-            .zip(packet_batch.iter_mut())
+            .zip(packet_batch.spare_capacity_mut().iter_mut())
             .map(|((_pubkey, addr, bytes), packet)| {
-                *packet.meta_mut() = Meta {
-                    size: bytes.len(),
-                    addr: addr.ip(),
-                    port: addr.port(),
-                    flags,
-                };
-                packet.buffer_mut()[..bytes.len()].copy_from_slice(&bytes);
+                Packet::init_packet_from_bytes(packet, &bytes, Some(&addr)).unwrap();
+                // SAFETY: Packet::init_packet_from_bytes() just initialized the packet
+                unsafe { packet.assume_init_mut().meta_mut().set_flags(flags) };
             })
             .count();
         if size > 0 {
-            packet_batch.truncate(size);
+            // SAFETY: By now, size packets have been initialized
+            unsafe { packet_batch.set_len(size) };
             if sender.send(packet_batch).is_err() {
                 return; // The receiver end of the channel is disconnected.
             }
diff --git a/sdk/packet/src/lib.rs b/sdk/packet/src/lib.rs
index 7188f809c61694..0f2a0f98d8ab38 100644
--- a/sdk/packet/src/lib.rs
+++ b/sdk/packet/src/lib.rs
@@ -362,6 +362,11 @@ impl Meta {
             .set(PacketFlags::FROM_STAKED_NODE, from_staked_node);
     }
 
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn set_flags(&mut self, flags: PacketFlags) {
+        self.flags = flags;
+    }
+
     #[inline]
     pub fn discard(&self) -> bool {
         self.flags.contains(PacketFlags::DISCARD)