Boar’s Head Recalls Products

Hello, everyone. Today, we bring you urgent news regarding a recent recall by the well-known deli meat producer Boar’s Head. Over 207,000 pounds of their meat products, including popular items like liverwurst and ham, have been recalled. These products are sold nationwide, and the recall was initiated due to a potential contamination of the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall was spurred after a sample of liverwurst from a Maryland store tested positive for listeria. This was during an investigation into a multistate listeria outbreak. To date, the outbreak has affected 34 people across 13 states. Regrettably, nearly all the affected individuals were hospitalized, and two people—one in Illinois and another in New Jersey—have tragically lost their lives.

Health authorities suspect the outbreak is likely associated with sliced meat sold at deli counters. Many of those affected reported eating items like turkey, liverwurst, or ham. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall last Friday and is currently conducting further testing to see if the Maryland sample is connected to the outbreak.

The recall includes Boar’s Head ready-to-eat liverwurst produced from June 11 to July 17, along with other deli meat products manufactured on the same machinery during that time. These include items like beef salami, bologna, and ham.

Boar’s Head has stated that the health and safety of their customers is their top priority. They have initiated an internal investigation and are cooperating with government authorities. They immediately and voluntarily recalled the product upon confirmation of Listeria in their Strassburger Brand Liverwurst. As a precautionary measure, additional products produced on the same line and on the same day have also been recalled.

If you have purchased any of the affected products, the USDA advises that you should discard them or return them to the store. It’s also advised to clean out your refrigerators, as this bacteria can grow in cold temperatures and spread to other foods.

Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from food poisoning in the U.S. Its symptoms usually appear within two weeks of eating contaminated food and can include fever, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, and confusion. In severe cases, it can lead to a blood infection or meningitis. It’s most dangerous for older individuals, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant individuals, who can pass the infection to the fetus, thus increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

Despite the high risk, most healthy people who get infected do not become seriously ill. However, deli meat is considered risky due to the ease of listeria spread in a manufacturing facility and the fact that it’s often stored and consumed cold, which doesn’t kill the bacteria. Reheating deli meat until it’s steaming hot or to 165 degrees Fahrenheit significantly lowers the risk of listeria.

Each year, listeria affects around 1,600 people, and about 260 die from it.

Please stay aware and be careful. We’ll continue to keep you updated on this developing situation. Stay safe and thanks for tuning in.