A Virginia company with a possible link to a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that killed two people is expanding its recall of deli meats after its product tested positive for the outbreak strain.
Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., based in Jarratt, is expanding its July 26 recall to approximately 7 million additional pounds of ready-to-eat-meat and poultry products. The original recall was for approximately 200,000 pounds of Boar’s Head meat products.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak linked to meats sliced at delis.
Whole genome sequencing results show that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
To date, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths.
People who experience flu-like symptoms, especially those in high-risk categories, within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
Recall details
The expansion includes 71 products produced between May 10 and July 29 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.
The products subject to recall were distributed to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama.
These products have sell by dates ranging from 29-JUL-2024 through 17-OCT-24.
The products shipped to retailers bear establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
The full recall list is available online.
Symptoms and treatment of Listeriosis
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older or 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. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
In people who are pregnant, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.
Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.
Consumer information
There is concern that some of the meat may be in consumers’ refrigerators and in retail deli cases.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them, and retailers are urged not to sell these products with the referenced sell by dates.
These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. FSIS recommends retail delis clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277.
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Crystal Graham
