The United States Department of Agriculture is putting a pause on certain sandwich ingredients by expanding a recall on Boar’s Head deli meats due to a listeria outbreak. The outbreak has impacted over seven million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, as well as certain vegetables sold at Walmart, Aldi, and Kroger, and dozens have reported serious infections across the country. Here’s what we know about the listeria outbreak and how it’s impacted New Jersey, New York, and other USA residents.
First Things First. What is Listeria?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, Listeriosis is “a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.”
The harmful germ Listeria can be found in a variety of foods, such as unpasteurized soft cheeses, unheated cheeses, unheated deli meat, cold cuts, hot dogs, premade deli salads, and more.
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Symptoms of Listeriosis include fever, flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and in some cases, seizures. The infection is typically diagnosed with lab tests and treatment depends on the severity of the illness, but most Listeria infections are treated with antibiotics.
Listeria is most likely to impact people who are pregnant and their newborns, adults over the age of 65, and people with weakened immune systems. For more information on listeria and how to treat it, visit the CDC website.
As of Friday, July 26th, 34 people ranging in age from 32 to 94 have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria across the country, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Thirty-three people were hospitalized for treatment across 13 states. In New Jersey, only two people have reported a Listeria infection with the illness dates ranging from June 2nd to 16th, and unfortunately, one person died. The two cases were reported in Monmouth County and Passaic County. However, the true number of people infected may be higher, because “some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria,” according to the State.
The Boar’s Head Recall
On July 26th, 2024, the USDA issued a notice saying Boar’s Head was recalling all liverwurst products because it may have been contaminated with the listeria germ. Boar’s Head was also recalling other deli meats produced on the same day and line as the liverwurst products. At the time, it was over 207,000 pounds of deli meats that were produced between June 11th and July 17th. The products came from the plant in Jarratt, Virginia, according to ABC 7.
Just a few days later on July 30th, the USDA expanded the recall to include seven million additional pounds of deli meats and poultry products that may be contaminated. It includes products under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names intended for slicing at delis and packaged meat sold at retail locations.
These products “sell by” dates range from July 29th to October 17th. The full list of recalled products can be found on the USDA website.
Boar’s Head released an updated statement on July 30th, saying, “On behalf of all of us at Boar’s Head Brand, we want to let our customers and consumers know that we deeply regret that our liverwurst products were found to be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness.”
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Vegetable Listeria Outbreak
On top of deli meats being pulled from store shelves, over 18 types of vegetables sold at Walmart, Aldi, and Kroger are being recalled due to Listeria concerns. TODAY reports Ohio-based Weirs Farm Inc. is recalling produce such as cucumbers, green beans, squash, and more due to possible Listeria contamination. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says no illness connected to the produce has been reported. The recall impacts 18 states including New Jersey. The full list of produce being recalled is available on the FDA website.
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