Boar’s Head recalls over 200,000 pounds of deli meat amid listeria outbreak

Amid a growing listeria outbreak, the popular deli meat provider Boar’s Head is recalling over 200,000 pounds of their meats and cheeses, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday.

The recall was prompted after a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst from a Maryland store tested positive for listeria, a bacterial illness that can be fatal for babies and others with weakened immune systems.

The recall affects 207,528 pounds of various sliced deli meats reportedly produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, reported NJ.com.

The CDC says the contaminated items have been linked to 34 illnesses across 13 states, resulting in 33 hospitalizations and two deaths.

“Stop & Shop has removed all impacted products from sale both in stores and online,” the supermarket chain said in a press release Friday. “In an abundance of caution, because this product is sliced in stores, Stop & Shop has also discarded all other open deli meats and cheeses that could have been sliced or prepared in the same area and is conducting a thorough cleaning of the deli area and equipment.”

The specific items under recall include Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, Virginia Ham Old Fashioned Ham, Italian Cappy Style Ham, Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham, Bologna, Beef Salami, Garlic Bologna, and Beef Bologna.

The recall also extends to other deli meats processed on the same line at a Virginia plant, with testing ongoing to determine if these products are connected to the outbreak.

Boar’s Head has stated that they are cooperating fully with authorities and conducting an internal investigation into the issue.

Consumers who have purchased these products are advised to dispose of them immediately or return them for a refund. Additionally, health officials are recommending that customers thoroughly clean their refrigerators to prevent cross-contamination.

Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, nausea, muscle aches and diarrhea. While the infection can be treated with antibiotics, it poses a particular risk to pregnant women, newborns and the elderly.

Each year, approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. contract listeria food poisoning, and around 260 cases result in death, according to the CDC.

With News Wire Services