Deadly Listeria Outbreak: Check Your Fridge Immediately for This Recalled Deli Meat [CNET]

If you bought deli meat from Boar’s Head in the past two months, you should immediately take a closer look at the packaging. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging you to check your fridge to ensure you aren’t eating recalled deli meat amid an expanding listeria outbreak. 

Despite the official recall going out in July, the cases are continuing to pile up. There have been 57 confirmed cases of listeriosis across 18 states since the beginning of the outbreak, the CDC says. All 57 confirmed cases resulted in hospitalizations, and nine people have died as a result. The CDC says that 14 of those cases were reported within the last couple of weeks. It is now the worst listeria outbreak in the US since the 2011 outbreak caused by cantaloupes. 

“More illnesses and deaths have been reported in this outbreak,” the CDC said in its latest update. “Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis.”

How did the outbreak start?

Boar’s Head has come under fire, with USDA documents during the investigation showing insects and mold present in the facility where the contaminated meats were produced. In total, CNN reports that there were 84 total “noncompliances” between January 2022 and August 2024, with most of them happening in August 2023. Early 2024 reports showed a “rancid smell in the cooler” and puddles of blood on the floor. 

Boar’s Head says it’s working with food safety experts to clean up the facility and prevent this from happening again. Meanwhile, the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service has suspended its inspection of the Boar’s Head facility, which means it’ll remain closed until it can clean things up. 

In the wake of the recall, Boar’s Head released a statement apologizing for its role in the outbreak. “We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness.”

How to check if you have a contaminated product

The source of the outbreak was Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, which was produced between July 11 and July 17, 2024. 

But the list of deli meats being recalled is much longer and includes various types of ham, bologna, frankfurters, sausage and bacon. The full list of recalled meats is available here. All the contaminated meats were produced in the Boar’s Head facility in Jarrett, Virginia. 

When checking the packaging, look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of the inspection on the product labels.

If you find a recalled product in your fridge, throw it away immediately or return it to the grocery store if it accepts returns. The bad meat may have sell-by dates as far into the future as October 2024, so it’s very possible that folks still have meat in the fridge.

The CDC also recommends thoroughly cleaning any part of your fridge the contaminated meat might have touched and throwing away any food that came into contact with the affected meat to avoid cross-contamination. Refrigeration doesn’t kill listeria, but cooking the food to a 165 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature will. 

What are the symptoms, and when should you seek medical help?

As the CDC says, it can take up to 10 weeks to experience symptoms. If you suspect you have eaten contaminated meat, the CDC says you should look out for symptoms of listeriosis and seek medical help immediately if symptoms occur.

For people who aren’t pregnant, those symptoms can include fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Additional symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. 

People who are pregnant may experience the same symptoms, but listeria can also cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness and death in newborns.

The CDC is also asking people who get sick with listeriosis or listeria to contact public health services to help better track the spread of the outbreak. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.