Tejal SomvanshiSix more people have died as a result of a food poisoning outbreak that led to the recall of more than 7 million pounds of deli meats, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency announced on Wednesday that nine people have died in total as a result of the outbreak, which is now the largest listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 2011. Fifty-seven people have been hospitalized. Health officials linked the outbreak to the popular Boar’s Head deli meats, which are produced at a plant in Virginia. The new toll of food poisoning includes two deaths in South Carolina and one each in Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee, and New York.
The Listeria bacteria thrive in moist environments, including soil, water, and decaying vegetation, and are carried by some animals. Resistant germs typically spread when food is harvested, processed, transported, or stored in locations contaminated with the bacteria. Once the bacteria enter a food processing plant, it can be difficult to eradicate. During the investigation, listeria was detected in an unopened Boar’s Head liver pâté bar at a store in Maryland; the Department of Agriculture said subsequent tests showed that the same strain was causing illnesses in people. Many of the people affected by the outbreak reported eating sliced meats from supermarket deli counters.
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People get sick from listeria poisoning when they eat food contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms can be mild and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More severe illnesses can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Listeria poisoning is complicated because symptoms can start quickly, within a few hours or days after eating contaminated food. But they can also take weeks or up to three months to appear. People most vulnerable to getting sick include the very young, those over 65 years old, and those with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant.
In July, Boar’s Head expanded its recall of deli meats, adding seven million pounds of ready-to-eat products from its Virginia plant to the list. On July 25, 2024, we voluntarily recalled our Strassburger Brand Liverwurst due to the potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. As a precaution, we also recalled nine other products produced on the same line and day as the liverwurst. Four days later, on July 29, 2024, once testing confirmed a connection between our liverwurst and the outbreak, we immediately expanded the recall. Prioritizing public health and safety, we voluntarily recalled all products made at the same facility as the liverwurst, totaling seven million pounds, as we believed it was the responsible course of action. All recalled products were swiftly removed from commerce and are no longer available for sale. Boar’s Head addressed the situation on its website, stating: “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.”
