Boar’s Head has significantly expanded its recall of deli and poultry products in response to a multistate outbreak of listeria infections. The recall now includes approximately 7 million pounds of products across 13 states. As of Tuesday, 34 cases of listeria infection have been reported, including 33 hospitalizations and two fatalities in Illinois and New Jersey.
Originally, the recall encompassed over 207,000 pounds of deli meat, including liverwurst and ham, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The expansion, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), includes 71 products manufactured from May 10 to July 29. These products were distributed nationwide and to international locations such as the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.
The initial recall followed a positive listeria test result from a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health. This led to the identification of the outbreak strain in products from Boar’s Head’s Jarratt, Virginia facility. The recall now includes all items produced at this facility.
Boar’s Head has temporarily halted ready-to-eat operations at the Jarratt facility and issued a statement expressing condolences for the affected families. Consumers are advised to dispose of or return any recalled products and to clean their refrigerators to prevent the spread of listeria.
The FSIS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state health departments are investigating the outbreak. Listeria, a foodborne illness, is particularly dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. The CDC estimates around 1,600 cases of listeriosis occur annually in the U.S., with about 260 fatalities.
National Broadcasting Company:
Boar’s Head recall expands to include 7 million pounds of deli meat over listeria concerns
Washington Post:
What to know about the Boar’s Head meat recall and listeria outbreak