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Two listeria outbreaks announced in the United States in the past week have led stores and brands including Boar’s Head, Wiers Farm and Freshire Farms to recall products in 23 states, including deli meats, peppers, green beans, squash, parsley and other items, with the elderly, the very young and pregnant women at greatest risk of serious illness or death from the foodborne illness.
Boar’s Head charcuterie on display in Georgia.
Highlights
A listeria outbreak in deli meats was first reported last week, with the Food and Drug Administration confirming that 34 people were sickened in more than a dozen states, all but one hospitalized, and two deaths, one in Illinois and one in New Jersey.
During the outbreak investigation, Boar’s Head recalled a number of its deli meats, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it was testing to determine if those products were linked to the outbreak.
That same week, the Department of Agriculture announced that more than a dozen prepackaged and bulk summer vegetables were being recalled due to possible listeria contamination, although no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall — the two do not appear to be related.
Listeria is a foodborne illness most commonly contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats (Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food, according to the CDC) and unpasteurized dairy products, and these healthy bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing.
Most healthy people rarely get sick from Listeria infection, but it disproportionately affects people over 65, newborns, and pregnant women, who may have only mild symptoms themselves, but babies in utero can die from Listeria.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly all cases (87%) require hospitalization, and one in six people die from the disease.
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Where have people gotten sick from Listeria in deli meats?
According to the FDA, more than 30 people have been sickened in 13 states (Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maryland) and two people have died.
Which cold cuts have been recalled due to Listeria?
Boar’s Head Provisions Co. recalled liverwurst after a sample of the product at a Maryland store tested positive for listeria, and the company also recalled meats sliced the same day on the same line as the liverwurst at a Virginia plant. These include Virginia Old Fashioned Ham, Cappy Style Italian Ham, Cappy Style Extra Hot Italian Ham, Mortadella, Beef Salami, Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Ham and Garlic Mortadella with a sell-by date of Aug. 10. More details can be found on the USDA website. The outbreak has been linked to meat sliced at deli counters, not prepackaged meat.
How does Listeria spread among deli meats?
Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water, animal feces, and raw materials. According to the CDC, deli meats, cheeses, and other processed meat products are particularly susceptible to Listeria because the bacteria spreads easily among deli equipment and surfaces. Although meats are stored refrigerated, refrigeration does not kill Listeria, and the bacteria can be difficult to eliminate. When meats are prepared in a facility where Listeria persists, the bacteria can spread on surfaces, hands, and through the food itself. One person died and 16 people became ill due to a Listeria outbreak among deli meats and cheeses in six states in 2022, and a similar outbreak killed one person and sickened 12 others in four states in 2020.
Which stores have recalled products due to Listeria and in which states?
Walmart has recalled bagged and bulk products in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Aldi stores in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have also recalled products. Other stores, including Save-a-Lot, Kroger and Shop ‘n Save, have also recalled products in the states listed above as well as Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Tennessee.
Which vegetables have been recalled due to Listeria?
Wiers Farms poblano peppers, cubanelle peppers, green beans, salad cucumbers, serranos, organic bell peppers, cucumbers, yellow squash and zucchini in bags were recalled, as were Freshire Farms green beans and jalapenos in bags. Also recalled were bulk Anaheim peppers, clinantos, cubanelle peppers, cucumbers, green beans, green peppers, habanero peppers, Hungarian peppers, jalapeño peppers, mustard greens, pickling cucumbers, parsley, poblano peppers, serranos and tomatillos, although no specific brand names were mentioned. The barcodes for each recalled product can be found on the FDA website.
Surprising fact
A Missouri couple has filed a lawsuit against Boar’s Head and Schnucks Markets after purchasing contaminated liverwurst in June. Sue Fleming, 88, became “gravely ill” and was hospitalized with a listeriosis infection, according to her attorney. She recovered from the illness after a lengthy hospital stay, followed by a stint at a rehabilitation center. The couple is now seeking $25,000 in damages and claims the illness caused “loss of enjoyment of life” and “damage to the marital relationship.”
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