Boar’s Head has recalled another seven million pounds of deli meats due to a listeria outbreak that has been linked to two deaths and nearly three dozen illnesses in 13 states.
The popular deli meat company has expanded its recall to millions of pounds of ready-to-eat products made at its Virginia plant. The action comes as health officials investigate a deadly listeria outbreak linked to the company’s products.
The latest recall involves 71 products from the Boar’s Head and Old Country brands, produced between May 10 and July 29.
This expansion follows an earlier recall of more than 90,000 kilos of cut poultry and meat.
The recalled items include both pre-packaged products sold in stores and bulk meat intended for slicing in deli counters, including liverwurst, ham, beef salami, sausage and other products made at the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia.
Boar’s Head has recalled another 7 million pounds of deli meats due to a listeria outbreak that has been linked to two deaths and nearly three dozen illnesses in 13 states.
The move comes as health officials investigate a deadly listeria outbreak linked to the company’s products
They have also been linked to an ongoing listeria outbreak that has left two people dead and nearly three dozen sick in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak, which began in late May and lasted until mid-July, has resulted in almost all those affected being hospitalized.
The investigation began when a liverwurst sample collected in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Follow-up testing confirmed that the bacteria matched the strain responsible for the ongoing outbreak.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to immediately and voluntarily extend our recall to all items produced at the Jarratt facility,” Boar’s Head said on its website. The company has also halted production of ready-to-eat meals at the facility.
The recalled meat was distributed nationally and internationally to stores in the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama.
According to company officials, consumers should not consume recalled products and are advised to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
This expansion follows an earlier recall of more than 90,000 kilos of cut poultry and meat.
To prevent cross-contamination, health officials recommend thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting refrigerators.
According to the CDC, Listeria infection is a serious illness that affects about 1,600 people each year, with about 260 deaths.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and potentially more serious complications such as stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.
These symptoms can occur within days or up to ten weeks after eating contaminated food. Pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.