Boar’s Head Recalls 7 million Pounds of Deli Meat

Well, folks, it looks like our beloved deli meats are taking an unexpected vacation from our sandwiches. Boar’s Head, the king of cold cuts, has just expanded its recall to a whopping 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat products. Now, before you start panicking about your lunchtime staples, let’s dive into this meaty situation and see what’s really going on. After all, knowledge is power, and in this case, it might just save you from an unwanted encounter with a nasty little bacterium called Listeria.

The Recall: A Heavyweight Champion of Food Safety

Boar’s Head has initiated a massive recall of 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat deli and poultry products due to a Listeria outbreak. This recall expansion comes after an initial recall and includes 71 products produced between May 10 and July 29, with “sell by” dates ranging from July 29 to October 17. The products were distributed nationwide and to several countries, including the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility” – Boar’s Head

The recall was triggered after a liverwurst sample tested positive for Listeria. In response, Boar’s Head has also paused ready-to-eat operations at its Jarratt, Virginia facility until further notice.

The Outbreak: A Serious Concern

The Listeria outbreak linked to these products has resulted in 34 illnesses across 13 states, with 33 hospitalizations and, tragically, 2 deaths. These numbers underscore the severity of the situation and the importance of swift action by both the company and regulatory authorities. (view the recalled product labels here).

“No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness” – Boar’s Head

Listeria infections can cause severe symptoms, particularly in older adults, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are about 1,600 cases of listeriosis annually in the U.S., resulting in approximately 260 deaths.

The Response: A Collaborative Effort

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), CDC, and state public health partners are actively investigating the outbreak. Their coordinated efforts aim to control and mitigate the spread of Listeria contamination.

The FSIS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to meats sliced at delis. – U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Consumers are advised to discard or return recalled products and clean their refrigerators thoroughly to prevent contamination. This is crucial because Listeria can survive and grow in food even when refrigerated.

What You Need to Know: Staying Safe

It’s important to understand that Listeria can be particularly dangerous for certain groups. The FSIS warns, “Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications, and death.”

Listeria can survive and grow in food even when it’s refrigerated, but the bacteria can be killed by heating foods to ‘steaming hot,’ or 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

If you’ve purchased any Boar’s Head products recently, check the FSIS website for a full list of recalled items. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember, your health is more important than a sandwich, no matter how delicious it might be.