Quick Hit:

Boar's Head recalls over 200,000 pounds of deli meat following a deadly listeria outbreak affecting 34 people in 13 states.

Key Details:

• The recall includes liverwurst and other deli meats produced between June 11 and July 17, 2024.
• Recalled products have sell-by dates ranging from July 25 to August 30, 2024.
• The outbreak has resulted in 33 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Diving Deeper:

Boar's Head Provisions Co. has initiated a significant recall of its deli meats following an ongoing listeria outbreak that has affected at least 34 people across 13 states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on Friday as part of a broader investigation led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The recall involves approximately 207,528 pounds of deli meats, including liverwurst and other products processed on the same production line. These items were distributed to retail delis nationwide and have been linked to the listeria outbreak, pending further testing.

Product Details:

• Liverwurst Products: 3.5-pound loaves and various weight packages labeled "Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA," produced between June 11 and July 17, 2024.
• Additional Recalled Items:
  • Boar's Head Virginia Ham Old Fashioned Ham
  • Boar's Head Italian Cappy Style Ham
  • Boar's Head Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham
  • Boar's Head Bologna
  • Boar's Head Beef Salami
  • Boar's Head Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat & Eat
  • Boar's Head Garlic Bologna
  • Boar's Head Beef Bologna

These products, marked with establishment number "EST. 12612," have sell-by dates from July 25 to August 30, 2024.

Outbreak and Investigation:

The FSIS uncovered the issue after the Maryland Department of Health found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample from a retail store. The sample was collected during an outbreak investigation in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department. Authorities are conducting further tests to confirm the link between the recalled products and the outbreak.

So far, 34 individuals in states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts have been affected. Of these, 33 were hospitalized, and two fatalities were reported.

Listeria Risks:

Listeria can cause severe illness, especially in pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and more severe conditions when the bacteria spread beyond the gut. The CDC recommends reheating deli meats to high temperatures to kill any present bacteria.

Boar's Head is cooperating with authorities and conducting its own investigation. Consumers are advised to check product labels and sell-by dates, and to contact healthcare providers if they suspect illness related to the recalled products.