Boar’s Head recalls several deli meats over listeria concerns

WASHINGTON - Boar’s Head recalled over 200,000 pounds of its ready-to-eat deli meat products, including all liverwurst products, due to listeria concerns, U.S. officials said.

The Virginia-based company issued a recall on Friday for its ready-to-eat liverwurst products and other deli meats that were processed on the same line on the same day, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The recalled 207,528 pounds of deli meat products were distributed to retail locations nationwide, the notice said.

The problem was discovered when a sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for L. monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes the infectious disease listeriosis.

"The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation of L. monocytogenes infections," the FSIS notice said. 

"Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product sample is related to the outbreak. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider," it added.

Listeriosis, which is treated with antibiotics, can be serious for people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems, officials said. It can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions – sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. 

Boar’s Head recall

Some of the recalled Boar’s Head product labels are pictured in provided images. (Credit: USDA)

The ready-to-eat liverwurst products were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf life, according to the notice.    

• 3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA." The products shipped to retailers bear sell by dates ranging July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024, printed on the side of the packaging.

The other recalled ready-to-eat deli meat products were produced on June 27, 2024.

• 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM" with sell by date "AUG 10" on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM" with sell by date "AUG 10" on the product packaging.
• 6-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM" with sell by date "AUG 10" on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head BOLOGNA" with sell by date "AUG 10" on the product packaging.
• 2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI" with sell by date "AUG 10" on the product packaging.
• 5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT" with sell by date "AUG 15" on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA" with sell by date "AUG 10" on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing "Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA" with sell by date "AUG 10" on the product packaging. 

The recalled deli meats have the establishment number "EST. 12612" inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels, according to the notice.

"FSIS is concerned that some product 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," the notice states. 

"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," it adds.

CDC: Deadly listeria outbreak linked to deli meat

The Boar’s Head recall comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to monitor a multi-state and deadly listeria outbreak linked to meats sliced at grocery stores and deli counters. In its notice, the FSIS said it’s working with the CDC and state public health partners to help in the investigation.

At least 34 people have gotten sick in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths, the FSIS said in its Friday recall notice. Samples were collected from sick people between May 29 and July 12, 2024. 

The CDC didn’t immediately order a food recall because it has been unclear what specific deli meat goods are contaminated with the bacteria, according to the agency – and the contaminated food is possibly still in circulation.

This story was reported from Cincinnati.