In light of a deadly listeria outbreak that has resulted in two fatalities and around 34 reported illnesses, Boar’s Head Products has announced a significant recall of over 200,000 pounds of deli meats, including all liverwurst products currently on the market. The recall comes following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) investigation into the outbreak and the detection of listeria bacteria in an unopened package of Boar’s Head liverwurst from a Maryland store.
The USDA is investigating whether deli meats sliced at various counters may have contributed to the outbreak, which has seen almost all infected individuals hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that many people reported consuming meats sliced at deli counters before falling ill, suggesting a broader issue at play.
As part of the recall, Boar’s Head has pulled multi-pound loaves of “Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA” with sell-by dates ranging from July 25 to August 30. Additionally, several other deli meats produced on the same day, June 27, and the same production line as the tainted liverwurst have also been recalled. This includes Virginia ham, Italian Cappy Ham, Extra Hot Italian Cappy Ham, Pork & Beef Bologna, Beef Salami, Beef Bologna, Garlic Bologna, and Steakhouse Roasted Slab Bacon, with various sell-by dates.
In a statement on Friday, a spokeswoman for Boar’s Head emphasized that the company is cooperating fully with government authorities while conducting its investigation into the matter. “We are cooperating fully with government authorities and conducting our investigation into this incident,” she said.
The recall has prompted major grocery chains, such as Stop & Shop, to take precautionary measures by removing Boar’s Head products from shelves and closing deli counters. The chain issued a statement affirming that “in an abundance of caution, Stop & Shop has discarded all other open deli meats and cheeses that could have been sliced or prepared in the same area and is conducting a thorough cleaning of the deli area and equipment.”
Since the outbreak began in May, states including New York, Maryland, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin have reported cases. Health officials are urging consumers to be vigilant and avoid any affected products.
As the situation develops, both the USDA and CDC are continuing their investigations to ensure consumer safety and prevent further illness. Consumers who may have purchased the recalled deli meats are advised to discard them immediately and contact the store for further instructions.
