The deli meat company Boar’s Head is currently recalling an additional 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat products produced at a Virginia plant as an investigation into a deadly outbreak of listeria food poisoning continues, according to officials from the U.S. Agriculture Department.
The latest recall covers 71 products manufactured between May 10 and July 29 under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. This comes after an initial recall of over 200,000 pounds of sliced deli poultry and meat. The newly recalled items include various types of meat such as liverwurst, ham, beef salami, and bologna, all made at the company’s Jarratt, Virginia, facility.
This recall is linked to an ongoing listeria outbreak that has resulted in two deaths and numerous illnesses across 13 states, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most affected individuals have required hospitalization, with cases reported between late May and mid-July.
The issue came to light when a sample of liverwurst obtained by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Subsequent testing revealed that the bacteria strain matched the one causing illnesses in people.
As a precautionary measure, the company has decided to expand the recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility and has ceased production of ready-to-eat foods at that location.
The contaminated meat was distributed nationally and also to the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama, according to Agriculture Department officials.
Consumers with the recalled products at home are advised not to consume them and to either dispose of them or return them to the store for a refund. Additionally, it is recommended to thoroughly clean and sanitize refrigerators to prevent the spread of contamination to other food items.
Each year, an estimated 1,600 individuals contract listeria food poisoning, resulting in approximately 260 deaths, as per the CDC.
Listeria infections typically manifest as fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, and can lead to symptoms like a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Onset of symptoms can be rapid or occur up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food. Vulnerable populations include individuals over 65, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
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