A popular Virginia-based meat company has recalled products that may be adulterated with listeria monocytogenes. This comes amid a multi-state breakout that has led to hospitalizations and deaths.
Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc. is recalling around 207,528 pounds of deli products, shipped nationwide. Affected are all liverwurst, according to the the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and some additional deli meat that was produced on the same line the same day as the liverwurst.
Maryland Department of Health tested a sample product for listeria monocytogenes in the liverwurst, as obtained by a retailer. It was in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department and further testing is ongoing. The department of health contacted FSIS with its findings as a multi-state outbreak is underway due to listeria illness.
FSIS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners have linked listeria infections due to deli-sliced meats. They sampled sick people between May 29 and July 12. As of July 25, they report 34 illnesses identified in 13 states; 33 have been hospitalized and there have been two deaths.
The investigation is ongoing.
Boar’s Head recalled its ready-to-eat liverwurst products, with a 44-day shelf life, produced between June 11 and July 17. Sell dates range from July 25 through Aug. 30, as printed on the package. It includes:
- 3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA.”
Other ready-to-eat deli meat products produced on June 27 and subject to recall include sell-by dates of Aug. 10 and Aug. 15.
- 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM”
- 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM”
- 6-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM”
- 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA”
- 2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI”
- 5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT”
- 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA”
- 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA”
The shipped products bear the establishment number “EST. 12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
FSIS recommends any consumers that have the affected products throw them away or return to the place of purchase. As well, consumers should thoroughly clean their refrigerators in an effort to prevent cross-contamination.
Retail delis are also encouraged to clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard open meats and cheeses in the deli. Harris Teeter — a North Carolina-based grocery chain — closed its delis per protocol on Friday to ensure proper sanitization and consumer safety before reopening.
Consumption of food contaminated with listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection, primarily affecting pregnant women, people aged 65 or older, or anyone with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
More information can be found here and consumers who have questions can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277. Or call toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854.
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