Recall of delicatessen products contaminated by listeria: which products are affected

More than 200,000 pounds of deli meats are being recalled due to possible listeria contamination.

Boar’s Head is recalling all liverwurst products manufactured by the facility that are currently commercially available because they may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenesannounced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The company is also recalling other sausage products that were manufactured on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst and therefore may be adulterated. L. monocytogenes.

The company is recalling approximately 207,528 pounds of product.

The ready-to-eat liverwurst products were manufactured between June 11, 2024 and July 17, 2024 and have a shelf life of 44 days. The following liverwurst products are affected by the recall (see labels):

• 3.5 lb loaves in plastic wrap or various weight packages sliced ​​at retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA”. Products shipped to retailers have sell-by dates ranging from July 25, 2024 to August 30, 2024, printed on the side of the package.

Other ready-to-eat deli meat products were manufactured on or after June 27, 2024. The following deli meat products are being recalled:

• Whole product of 9.5 lbs. and 4.5 lbs., or various weight sliced ​​packages in retail delicatessens, containing “VIRGINIA HAM Boar’s Head OLD FASHIONED HAM” with a sell-by date of “AUGUST 10” on the product packaging.

• 4 lb or various weight packages, sliced ​​in retail delicatessens, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPISTE STYLE HAM” with a sell-by date of “AUGUST 10” on the product packaging.

• 6 lb or various weight packages, sliced ​​in retail delicatessens, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE EXTRA HOT HAM” with a sell-by date of “AUGUST 10” on the product packaging.

• 4 lb packages or various weights, sliced ​​in retail delicatessens, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA” with the sell by date “AUGUST 10” on the product packaging.

• 2.5 lb or various weight packages, sliced ​​in retail delicatessens, containing “Tête de Boar BEEF SALAMI” with a sell-by date of “AUGUST 10” on the product packaging.

• 5.5 lb packages or various weights, sliced ​​at retail delicatessens, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT” with a sell-by date of “AUGUST 15” on the product packaging.

• 3 lb packages or various weights, sliced ​​in retail delicatessens, containing “BOLOGNA WITH GARLIC BOAT’S HEAD” with the sell-by date “AUGUST 10” on the product packaging.

• 3 lb or various weight packages, sliced ​​in retail delicatessens, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA” with the sell-by date “AUGUST 10” on the product packaging.

The recalled products were distributed to delicatessens nationwide. Products shipped to delicatessens bear the establishment number “EST. 12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a sample taken by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for L. monocytogenesThe Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Department of Health, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation. L. monocytogenes Further testing is underway to determine if the product sample is related to the outbreak. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare professional.

FSIS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to sliced ​​meat in delis. As of July 25, 2024, 34 ill people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. Specimens were collected from ill people from May 29, 2024, to July 12, 2024. Additional information can be found in the CDC investigation notice, Listeria Outbreak linked to sliced ​​meats at delis. The investigation is ongoing and FSIS continues to work with CDC and state partners.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that mainly affects pregnant women, people aged 65 or over, or those with weakened immune systems. Less commonly, people who are not in these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the digestive tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. People in high-risk groups who develop flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical attention and inform the health care professional of the consumption of contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that certain products may be in consumers’ refrigerators and on deli shelves. Consumers who have purchased these products are advised not to consume them, and retailers are advised not to sell these products with their expiration dates. These products should be thrown out or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers who have purchased these products are also advised to thoroughly clean refrigerators to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.

FSIS recommends that delicatessens clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard all opened meats and cheeses in the delicatessen. Retailers can refer to FSIS guidance, Best Practices Guide for Control Listeria monocytogenes in delicatessensfor information on steps to prevent contamination by contaminants of certain ready-to-eat foods prepared or sliced ​​in delicatessens and consumed at home, such as cold cuts and deli salads. L. monocytogenes.

FSIS regularly conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling companies are notifying their Customers should be notified of the recall and steps should be taken to ensure that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, retail distribution lists will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall may contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc. customer service at 1-800-352-6277. Media with questions may contact Elizabeth Ward, vice president of communications for Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., at media@boarshead.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call USDA’s toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email a question to MPHotline@usda.gov. Consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product can access the electronic consumer complaint monitoring system online 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.