Publisher’s Platform: What you need to know about the Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak

Before you watch the video, please review the last two years of FSIS Inspection Reports – https://www.foodsafetynews.com/files/2024/08/2024-08-27.pdf

I also got this email from a former employee: My job has Listeria in water and I work with the water every day . Been getting short of breath lately and body sore. But don’t know. I work at Boars Head in Jarrett VA. Also my immune system is not too strong due to my asthma and lung collapse in 2008.

Public Health Warning: Products sold at the deli, especially those sliced or prepared at the deli, can be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food. Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill any germs that may be on these meats. CDC advises people to not eat recalled deli meat products. CDC always advises people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, to avoid eating deli meats or to heat them before consuming.

Number Sickened: 57 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 18 states – Including: Arizona 1, Florida 3, Georgia 2, Illinois 1, Indiana 1, Maryland 8, Massachusetts 3, Minnesota 1, Missouri 3, New Jersey 5, New Mexico 1, New York 17, North Carolina 1, Pennsylvania 2, South Carolina 2, Tennessee 1, Virginia 4, Wisconsin, 1.

Number of Hospitalizations and Deaths: Of 57 people with information available, all 57 have been hospitalized. One person got sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after recovering. Nine deaths have been reported, including one in Illinois, one in New Jersey, one in Virginia, and as of this update one in Florida, one in Tennessee, one in New Mexico, one in New York, and two in South Carolina.

Product Recall: Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, expanded its July 26, 2024, recall of deli meat products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. The establishment is recalling approximately 7 million additional pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. This expansion includes 71 products produced between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. These items include meat intended for slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations. These products have “sell by” dates ranging from 29-JUL-2024 through 17-OCT-24. View full product list. View labels. The products subject to recall were distributed to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. The products shipped to retailers bear establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.