Massive deli meat recall tied to listeria outbreak: What to know

The deli meat company Boar’s Head is recalling 7 million pounds of products after a deadly outbreak of listeria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Tuesday.

The announcement this week follows an earlier recall after two people died and more than 30 people were sickened.

Here’s what to know about the recall:

What is being recalled?

The USDA said Tuesday that the company is expanding its recall because its products may be impacted by listeria monocytogenes.

The new recall includes 71 Boar’s Head and Old Country products produced between May 10 and July 29 at its Jarratt, Va., facility.

It follows an earlier recall of more than 200,000 pounds of meat. In a statement online, the company said it was recalling everything from the Jarratt facility “out of an abundance of caution.”

“We have also decided to pause ready-to-eat operations at this facility until further notice. As a company that prioritizes safety and quality, we believe it is the right thing to do,” Boar’s Head said in a notice on its website.

The products include some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations as well as meat intended for slicing at retail delis.

The meats have “sell by” dates that range from July 29 through Oct. 17, 2024, the USDA said.

The products were distributed to retail locations across the country and have been exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama.

Why is it being recalled?

The Maryland Department of Health first found a liverwurst sample that tested positive for listeria. Further testing found a product from a retail store that tested positive for the outbreak strain.

As of July 30, 34 people have been identified to be sick from the deli meat across 13 states. Thirty-three people have been hospitalized and two people have died from the outbreak.

What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis is a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, older than 65 or have weakened immune systems. It’s less common for people outside of those groups to be affected by the illness, the USDA said.

It can cause fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions that are “sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.”

People who are pregnant could suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth or premature delivery or a life-threatening infection in the newborn, the USDA said.

Older adults or people who have weak immune systems can develop serious and sometimes fatal infections.

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.

People can experience flu-like symptoms two months after eating contaminated food. Those who feel symptoms should seek medical care and speak with a health care provider if they ate deli meat, according to the USDA.

What is being done?

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health organizations to investigate the multistate outbreak.

The investigation is ongoing, the USDA said.

The agency recommended that anyone concerned about illness should contact a health care provider.

The CDC’s food safety alert for the outbreak will continue to be updated with the latest information on the investigation.

The deli company said the health and well-being of its consumers is paramount.

“No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness,” the company said in a statement. “You have our commitment that we are dedicated to all Boar’s Head products consistently meeting the high quality and safety standards you deserve and expect.”

What should consumers and retailers do?

The USDA said it is concerned that products can still be in consumers’ refrigerators at home and in retail deli cases.

People who have purchased Boar’s Head deli meat should not consume it, and retailers should not sell it if the meat falls into the impacted sell-by dates.

Impacted products should be thrown away or returned to the retailer where it was purchased.

The USDA also recommends consumers clean their refrigerators “thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination.” Retail delis should also clean and sanitize food and surfaces and discard open meats and cheeses in the deli.