CDC: 9 Deaths Associated With US Listeria Outbreak
The federal agency has expanded the ongoing Boar’s Head deli meat outbreak to include more people being hospitalized and new states.
Image Credit: CDC
Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an update on the ongoing listeria outbreak in the US associated with the Boar’s Head deli meat, which has now risen to 9 deaths associated with the foodborne infection. In addition, there have been 14 new hospitalizations bringing the total number to 57, and 5 new states bringing the total number to 18 states being affected by it.1
Products Recalled
CDC says one of the products still being recalled is the Boar's Head Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst Products. The products being recalled has the following aspects:
- Produced between June 11, 2024 and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf-life
- "Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia"
- 3.5 pound loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis
- Sell by dates range from July 25, 2024, to August 30, 20241
In addition, consumers should be aware of other Boar’s Head recalled deli products, including prepackaged deli products, in shelf life from this establishment. Consumers should look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.1
Contagion also did include information on other products in recent reporting and to find out more specific recalled products, check out the story here.
Boar’s Head Statement
In a letter dated August 15, the company offered further insights on the recall. “It's important to note that this recall only affects certain products sliced fresh from the deli counter, and a limited number of pre-packaged retail sausage, frankfurter, and bacon products produced at one plant. Most Boar’s Head products, which are produced at other plants, are not affected by the recall,” the company wrote on its site.2
On the page, Boar’s Head listed products that were not part of the recall.
What Businesses and Consumers Should Do
For businesses that sell the products, CDC recommends the following:
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces, including deli slicers.
- Throw away any open meats and cheeses in the deli.
- USDA-FSIS is advising delis to not use any opened deli products because recalled products can cross-contaminate other deli meats and cheeses.
- Always follow USDA-FSIS best practices for controlling Listeria contamination in deli areas.1
Consumers who have purchased these recalled products are advised not to eat them and to either discard them or return them to the place of purchase. FSIS advises retail delis to thoroughly clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard any opened meats and cheeses. Retailers can consult FSIS's "Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Retail Delicatessens" for detailed steps to prevent contamination of ready-to-eat foods, such as deli meats and salads, that are prepared or sliced in-store and consumed at home. For more information, contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc. at 1-800-352-6277, or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.3
