The United States is facing one of its worst listeria outbreaks since 2011, with nine deaths and over 50 hospitalizations reported since May. This deadly outbreak has led to a massive recall of over seven million pounds of deli meats produced by Boar’s Head, a popular food brand. The recall encompasses 71 different products, including ready-to-eat meats, deli counter slices, and poultry, distributed across 18 states.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated the recall after discovering the presence of listeria monocytogenes in Boar’s Head liverwurst products. Subsequently, the recall was expanded to include all Boar’s Head deli meats due to the widespread nature of the contamination.
Listeria is a resilient bacteria that can survive and thrive even in refrigerated conditions. The bacteria commonly originates in moist environments like soil, decaying vegetation, and water, often contaminating animals that are later processed for food. This contamination can spread during harvesting, processing, transportation, and storage.
The CDC investigation revealed that listeria was detected in an unopened loaf of Boar’s Head liverwurst at a Maryland store. Further testing confirmed that the same strain of listeria was responsible for the illnesses reported in people. This discovery prompted the recall of all Boar’s Head deli meats, regardless of their specific product type.
Boar’s Head voluntarily recalled its liverwurst products in late July after discovering the presence of the bacteria. The recall was subsequently expanded to encompass all deli meat products manufactured at its Jarratt, Virginia, plant.
The recalled Boar’s Head deli meat products were sold nationwide in retail delis, as well as in the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. Consumers can identify recalled products by their sell-by dates, which range from July 29, 2024, to October 17, 2024, and the USDA mark of inspection on the label, which includes the numbers “EST. 12612” or “P-12612.” This information can be verified on the USDA website.
Listeria poisoning can result from consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms can range from mild, such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, to more serious complications like headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. The onset of symptoms can vary, occurring within hours or days after consuming contaminated food, or even weeks or months later.
Individuals at higher risk of developing serious complications from listeria infection include the very young, those over 65 years old, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
While listeria can survive and multiply in refrigerated food, it can be killed by heating foods to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). The CDC advises consumers at high risk for listeria illness to avoid consuming recalled products or to heat them thoroughly before eating.
Due to the persistence of listeria even under refrigeration, the CDC recommends cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces, including refrigerator drawers and shelves, that may have come into contact with the recalled products.
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled Boar’s Head deli meats are urged to refrain from consuming them. They should discard the products or return them to the store for a full refund.
This ongoing outbreak emphasizes the importance of food safety practices, including thorough cooking of deli meats and proper sanitation of surfaces that have come into contact with food.
