If you have Boar’s Head meats in your refrigerator, you should take a close look at the packaging right away. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to recheck their refrigerators to ensure they don’t eat recalled meats amid a growing listeria outbreak. Despite an official recall implemented in July, cases continue to mount.
There have been 57 confirmed cases of listeriosis in 18 states since the outbreak began, the CDC says. All 57 confirmed cases have resulted in hospitalizations, and nine people have died as a result. The CDC says 14 of those cases have been reported in the past few weeks. It is now the worst listeria outbreak in the U.S. since the infamous 2011 outbreak that was linked to cantaloupe melons.
“More illnesses and deaths have been reported in this outbreak,” the CDC said in its latest update. “Listeria is a persistent germ that can persist on surfaces, such as meat-processing equipment, and on food, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to develop symptoms of listeriosis.”
Boar’s Head has come under fire for its role in the outbreak. USDA Documents during the investigation show insects and mold in the facility where the contaminated meat was produced. In total, CNN reports that there were a total of 84 “nonconformities” between January 2022 and August 2024, most of which occurred in August 2023. In early 2024, reports showed a “rancid odor in the cooler” and pools of blood on the floor.
Boar’s Head says it is working with food safety experts to clean up the facility and prevent it from happening again. Meanwhile, the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has suspended inspections of the Boar’s Head facility, meaning it will remain closed until the cleanup is complete.
Following the recall, Boar’s Head a statement released apologizes for its role in the outbreak. “We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on the families affected. No words can fully express our sympathy and the sincere and deep pain we feel for those who have suffered loss or illness.”
How can you check if you have a contaminated product?
The source of the outbreak was the Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, which was produced between July 11 and 17, 2024.
Despite being the source of the outbreak, the list of recalled meats is much longer and includes several types of ham, bologna, frankfurters, sausage and bacon. The full list of recalled meats is available hereAll of the contaminated meat was produced at the Boar’s Head plant in Jarrett, Virginia.
When checking the packaging, look for the USDA inspection mark on the product label that says “EST. 12612” or “P-12612.”
If you have a recalled product, throw it away immediately or return it to the grocery store if the store is accepting returns. The spoiled meat may have a best-before date far in the future, such as October 2024, so it’s entirely possible that people still have meat in their refrigerators that hasn’t spoiled yet.
The CDC also recommends clean thoroughly any part of your refrigerator that may have touched contaminated meat, and throw out any food that came into contact with the contaminated meat to prevent cross-contamination. Refrigeration does not kill listeria, but cooking the food to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit does.
When should you call a doctor?
According to the CDC, it can take up to 10 weeks for you to experience symptoms. So if you suspect you’ve eaten contaminated meat, the CDC says to watch for symptoms of listeriosis and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur.
For people who are not pregnant, these symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Other symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.
Pregnant people can 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 asking people who become sick with listeriosis or listeria to contact their public health department so they can better track the spread of the outbreak.
