Listeria Outbreak Linked to Boar’s Head Deli Meats: Three Deaths and 43 Sickened

Three people have tragically lost their lives in a listeria food poisoning outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, with the total number of people sickened rising to 43, according to federal food safety officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that the additional death occurred in Virginia, with the other two deaths reported in New Jersey and Illinois.

The outbreak, which began in late May, has prompted Boar’s Head to recall 7 million pounds of deli meats. The initial recall on July 25 was expanded on July 30 after a liverwurst sample collected in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Further testing in New York confirmed the same strain of listeria in another liverwurst sample. The recall includes over 70 products such as ham, beef salami, and bologna, all made at the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia.

Two lawsuits have already been filed against Boar’s Head in Missouri and federal court in New York. The recalled meats were distributed nationwide, as well as to several international locations. Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled products and to either discard them or return them to the store for a refund. It is important to thoroughly clean and sanitize refrigerators where the recalled products were stored to prevent contamination.

Listeria food poisoning can be deadly, with an estimated 260 deaths occurring each year out of 1,600 reported cases. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, confusion, and convulsions, with pregnant individuals, those over 65, and those with weakened immune systems being at higher risk. It is crucial for individuals who may have consumed the contaminated products to monitor their health and seek medical attention if symptoms arise.