Boar's Head Provisions Co. has initiated a nationwide recall of various deli products due to concerns over potential listeria contamination, a move announced by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Friday. The recall affects a broad range of products, including liverwurst, ham, bologna, salami, and bacon, amounting to approximately 207,528 pounds of meat.
The recalled items were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have been distributed to retail deli locations nationwide. The FSIS emphasized that these products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. The recall includes 3.5-lb. loaves of liverwurst in plastic casing or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, bearing the label "Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA" with sell-by dates ranging from July 25, 2024, to August 30, 2024.
Other products recalled include:
- 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. packages of "Boar's Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM" with a sell-by date of August 10.
- 4-lb. packages of "Boar's Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM" and "Boar's Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM" with a sell-by date of August 10.
- 4-lb. packages of "Boar's Head BOLOGNA" and 2.5-lb. packages of "Boar's Head BEEF SALAMI" with a sell-by date of August 10.
- 5.5-lb. packages of "Boar's Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT" with a sell-by date of August 15.
- 3-lb. packages of "Boar's Head GARLIC BOLOGNA" and "Boar's Head BEEF BOLOGNA" with a sell-by date of August 10.
The FSIS revealed that the issue came to light when a sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. This sample was part of an outbreak investigation involving 34 individuals across 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two fatalities. The samples were collected from May 29, 2024, to July 12, 2024.
Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can lead to severe illness, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Mitzi Baum, CEO of Stop Foodborne Illness, emphasized the severity of listeriosis, noting that it can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and serious infections in vulnerable populations. "Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea," she told Newsweek. "Listeriosis can cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weaker or compromised immune systems, such as infants, older adults, and persons living with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy."
The FSIS has categorized the recall as a Class I risk, indicating a high probability of causing serious health consequences or death. Consumers are advised to clean their refrigerators thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination and are encouraged to contact Boar's Head Provisions Co. at 1-800-352-6277 with any questions. Additionally, issues with meat, poultry, or egg products can be reported through the FSIS Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System, available 24 hours a day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also involved in the investigation, highlighting the importance of vigilance during this outbreak. The CDC's updated map indicates that affected states include Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Dr. Danny Brandstatter, Chief Medical Officer at Wellstar, offered advice on how to avoid listeria infection during the outbreak. He recommended heating sliced deli meats to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as refrigeration does not kill the bacteria. Pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
Brandstatter also noted that pets could be susceptible to listeria, advising caution when feeding them sliced meats. "Pregnant women, it can cause a serious infection in the unborn child," Brandstatter warned. "People with immune systems that are weakened, or elders, an age that's greater than 65 in this case," are also at higher risk of complications.
