Another person has died in a listeria outbreak linked to contaminated Boar’s Head deli meats which were recalled last month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In total, nine people have been reported as dead and 57 hospitalized across 18 states in connection with this outbreak since the CDC‘s investigation began on July 19—although the true number may be higher.
Listeria bacteria were found last month in Boar’s Head Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst Products that were produced between June 11 and July 17, 2024. Boar’s Head has recalled all its deli meats, which should all be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase, according to the CDC.
Listeria can cause listeriosis, an illness that can be severe especially among pregnant people, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms may vary, but usually exhibit as typical food poisoning, beginning 24 hours after eating contaminated food and lasting for one to three days.
However, symptoms may also include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures, according to the CDC. In pregnant people, listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth, or cause illness or death in newborns.
The outbreak seems to have been concentrated on the East Coast of the U.S. so far. New York State has seen the most cases: 17 people there have been hospitalized with listeriosis, according to the CDC.
Deaths have occurred in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Tennessee, New Mexico and New York. Two people have died in South Carolina. The most recent death was in Florida.
Other states that have reported listeria cases include Arizona, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
Newsweek has emailed the CDC for comment.
The CDC has said people should not eat recalled Boar’s Head deli meats. The recalled products can be identified by checking USDA mark of inspection on product labels. Those marked with “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” might be contaminated with listeria.
The products have a shelf-life of 44 days, so some may have sell-by dates as late as October 2024.
Check your refrigerator, the CDC has advised, and throw away or return any recalled products. Then clean your refrigerator, containers and any surfaces that may have touched the recalled meats.
Listeria spreads easily over surfaces, equipment, surfaces, hands and food, and is not killed by refrigeration. The bacteria may have contaminated other meats in refrigerators and at deli counters.
However, the bacteria can be destroyed by high enough temperatures, so people at risk of developing serious listeriosis—pregnant, older or immunocompromised individuals—should avoid eating deli meats sliced at deli counters unless they have been reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot.
Symptoms of listeriosis can take up to 10 weeks to appear, so people who have previously consumed deli meats may wish to remain vigilant in case they develop signs of listeriosis later.
According to the CDC, listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S., responsible for approximately 1,600 cases of food poisoning each year and around 260 fatalities.
This outbreak was traced back to Boar’s Head after a liverwurst sample that was collected by Maryland health officials tested positive for listeria in July.
Health officials issued a public health warning and Boar’s Head issued a recall on July 25, which it expanded on July 29 to include all products from its Jarratt, Virginia plant.
Over 7 million pounds of deli meats are implicated, including items sliced at deli counters and prepackaged sausages, frankfurters, bacon and some other meats.
Affected products are no longer available on store shelves, according to the Boar’s Head website.
Boar’s Head said in a statement on its website: “Food safety is our absolute priority, and the health and well-being of our consumers are paramount.”
“We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness.”
The firm added it was “conducting a rigorous investigation to identify the root cause of this incident” and “implementing comprehensive remediation measures to ensure that all our deli products meet the highest safety and quality standards.”
The CDC is continuing to collect health data on the individuals affected by the outbreak. It has reported that those hospitalized with listeriosis have an average age of 77 years—with a range of 32 to 95 years—and 75 percent of them are white.
The CDC has also carried out interviews with 44 of those sick with listeriosis, 95 percent of whom said they ate meats that were sliced at a deli in a supermarket or grocery store.
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