Boar’s Head Recalls Deli Meats Due to Listeria Concerns

In a significant health alert, Boar’s Head has announced a recall of over 207,000 pounds of deli meats, including liverwurst and ham, due to possible contamination with the dangerous bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall comes after a sample of liverwurst taken from a grocery store in Maryland tested positive for listeria. The news is even more alarming as it is part of an ongoing investigation into an outbreak that has already made 34 people sick across 13 states, leading to two tragic deaths in Illinois and New Jersey.

Health officials suspect the outbreak is linked to ready-to-eat deli meats, as many of the affected individuals reported consuming items like turkey or liverwurst. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently conducting further tests to see if the Maryland product is indeed connected to this outbreak.

The affected products include ready-to-eat liverwurst produced between June 11 and July 17, along with other deli meats made on the same machinery during that time, which includes items like beef salami and bologna. A spokesperson for Boar’s Head emphasized that customer safety is the company’s top priority, stating, “As soon as a Listeria adulteration was confirmed in our Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, we immediately and voluntarily recalled the product.”

The spokesperson also mentioned that out of caution, the company decided to recall additional meats made on the same day as the liverwurst product.

If you bought any of these recalled products, officials advise you to throw them away or return them to the store for a refund. Cleaning your refrigerator thoroughly is also recommended to prevent any possible contamination of other foods.

Listeria can be particularly serious, leading to symptoms like fever and muscle aches, and is especially dangerous for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and the elderly. It’s estimated that about 1,600 people contract listeriosis each year in the U.S., with around 260 fatalities.

This isn’t the first time listeria has raised concerns. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked an outbreak to queso fresco and cotija cheese, resulting in 23 hospitalizations and two deaths. The current situation underlines the importance of food safety and the potential risks associated with deli meats.