Boar’s Head Deli Meat Recalled Due To Listeria Amid 2024 Outbreak

Over 200,000 pounds of Boar’s Head deli meat have been recalled due to the risk that of contamination with listeria, a bacteria that can be deadly when consumed by certain populations.

The recall comes amid a 13-state listeria outbreak tied to deli meat sliced at counters, announced earlier in July 2024. Federal health authorities are investigating whether the Boar’s Head recall is tied to the outbreak.

Listeria contamination was first discovered in Boar’s Head liverwurst by the Maryland Department of Health, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a result, ready-to-eat liverwurst made by Boar’s Head is being recalled, along with several other deli meats produced on the same line, including ham, beef salami, bologna and more.

Listeria can cause gastrointestinal illness, as well as fever, aches, stiffness and confusion, and is especially dangerous when consumed by the elderly, pregnant people and those with compromised immune systems.

Deli meat recall 2024

The recalled Boar’s Head deli meat products were sold at delis nationwide. The following products are included in the recall, according to the USDA website:

• 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.
• 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.   

If you’ve purchased a recalled product, health officials encourage you not to consume it — throw it away or return it for a refund, and clean your fridge to prevent cross-contamination. Retailers are also urged not to sell any of the recalled deli meats.

Listeria outbreak in deli meat under investigation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a week before the recall that it had been investigating a listeria outbreak linked to deli meat sliced at counters.

The latest info shows 34 people have fallen ill, 33 have been hospitalized and two have died across 13 states, according to the USDA. Many of those affected by the outbreak reported consuming meats sliced at deli counters, per the CDC.

States affected by the deli meat listeria outbreak

The 34 confirmed people affected in the outbreak live in 13 different states across the U.S. These states include:

• Georgia
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Identifying whether a sick individual is part of an outbreak can take three to four weeks, so the actual number of people sick from the outbreak is likely higher than reported, the CDC reported.

Symptoms of listeria

The signs and symptoms of listeria infection, also known as listeriosis, vary. Newborns, pregnant individuals, those aged 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems are at risk of more severe illness from listeria infection, according to the CDC.

Signs of listeria in pregnant people

• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms like muscle aches and fatigue

Non-pregnant people

• Fever, muscle aches and lethargy
• Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures

According to the CDC, listeria symptoms can begin within two weeks of consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. However, symptoms can start as early as the consumption day or as late as 10 weeks after eating the food.

What deli meat has listeria?

In general, deli meats and cold cuts have a higher risk of carrying listeria than other foods, according the CDC.

In the July 2024 listeria deli meat outbreak, meats sliced at deli counters in stores seem to be affected. There is also a recall affecting Boar’s Head deli meat, including liverwurst, ham, salami and more.

Other foods that carry a higher risk of listeria are:

• Hot dogs and fermented or dry sausages
• Soft cheeses, mainly from unpasteurized milk, like queso fresco, brie and camembert
• Unpasteurized dairy products from raw milk
• Smoked fish
• Premade deli salads

How to prevent listeria from the deli meat outbreak

Health officials advise that pregnant people, those over 65 and with weakened immune systems to do the following:

• Do not meat sliced at deli counters unless it’s reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it cool before eating.
• Clean your fridge and any surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.
• Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of a listeria infection.

If you have purchased any Boar’s Head products affected by the recall, do not eat them. Return them or throw them away.