Deli Meat Manufacturer Recalls Product Due to Possible Listeria

In an update in the ongoing, national listeria outbreak associated with deli meat, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today that deli food manufacturer, Boar's Head, is recalling all liverwurst product that is currently available in commerce because it may be adulterated with listeria. In addition, the company is also recalling deli meat products that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst and, therefore, may be contaminated. Overall Boar’s Head, is recalling approximately 207,528 pounds of products.¹

FSIS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of listeria infections linked to meats sliced at delis. As of July 25, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and 2 deaths.¹

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).²

WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak may have gotten sick from eating this food.²

The products subject to recall were distributed to retail deli locations nationwide. The products shipped to deli retailers bear establishment number “EST. 12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.¹

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for listeria. The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation of listeria infections. Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product sample is related to the outbreak. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider. ¹

The Products affected include:

• 3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA.” The products shipped to retailers bear sell by dates ranging July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024, printed on the side of the packaging.
• 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 6-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT” with sell by date “AUG 15” on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.¹

Symptoms and Treatment

Listeria in healthy people may have short-term symptoms such as a fever, headache, stiffness, and gastrointestinal discomfort, including diarrhea. However, in children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems, this foodborne infection can be more severe and could be fatal in some cases. The infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. For anyone who is suffering these symptoms after eating these products, they are recommended to contact a healthcare provider right away.³

In terms of treatment, for those with mild symptoms, no treatment is required, but severe or serious infections can be treated with antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, during pregnancy, prompt antibiotic treatment might help keep the infection from affecting the baby Mayo writes on its site.³

For consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277. Media with questions can contact Elizabeth Ward, vice president of communications, Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., at media@boarshead.com.

For any anyone who purchased these products they are recommended to either return them to the place of purchase or discard.

References

1. Boar's Head Provisions Co. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Liverwurst And Other Deli Meat Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination. July 26, 2024. Accessed July 26, 2024.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co--recalls-ready-eat-liverwurst-and-other-deli-meat-products
2. Investigation Details. CDC July 19, 2024. Accessed July 20,2024.
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/details.html
3. Parkinson J. Chicken Recall Due to Possible Listeria Contamination. Contagion. July 9, 2024. Accessed July 20, 2024.
https://www.contagionlive.com/view/chicken-recall-due-to-possible-listeria-contamination