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Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc, a popular producer of deli products including meat and cheese, has issued a recall for more than 200,000 pounds of liverwurst and other ready-to-eat deli meats due to potential listeria contamination, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a notice on Friday.

A listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meat has sickened 34 in 13 states, causing 33 hospitalizations and two deaths, according to an ongoing investigation by the USDA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The Boar's Head recall affects  207,528 pounds of product, including all of its liverwurst products and a variety of other deli meats. The USDA said the presence of listeria monocytogenes in the meats can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems.

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What Boar's Head products are recalled?

The recalled ready-to-eat liverwurst products were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf life. The products were distributed to retail deli locations nationwide and are labeled with the establishment number “EST. 12612."

Other recalled ready-to-eat deli meat products were produced on June 27, 20424. These products, also distributed nationwide, bear the establishment number “EST. 12612.” 

The recalled liverwurst products include:

• 3.5-lb. loaves of liverwurst 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 from July 25 to Aug. 30 printed on the side of the packaging.

The other recalled deli meats include :

• 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 a sell-by date of 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 of 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 a sell-by date of Aug. 10 on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing Boar’s Head Bologna with a sell-by date of Aug. 10 on the product packaging.
• 2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing Boar’s Head Beef Salami with a sell-by date of 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 a sell-by date of 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 of Aug. 10 on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing Boar’s Head Beef Bologna with a sell-by date of Aug. 10 on the product packaging.              

Listeriosis or listeria poisoning symptoms

Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women.

According to the USDA, symptoms include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea
• Other gastrointestinal symptoms
• Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
• Death

People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food, said the USDA.

What to do if you have a recalled product

Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume and should immediately throw them away or return them to the place of purchase, said the USDA. Retailers who have the products in stock are likewise advised not to sell them.

If you happen to find one of the affected meats in your fridge, be sure to follow up its disposal with a thorough cleaning of your fridge to prevent cross-contamination Retailers should likewise clean and sanitize all surfaces and discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli.

One of the best ways to avoid listeriosis is to avoid foods that have not been properly stored or that may be more prone to carrying listeria bacteria. People who are at high risk, such as pregnant women and children, should avoid eating the following:

• Unpasteurized soft cheeses, such as queso fresco and brie.
• Unheated cheeses sliced at a deli.
• Unheated deli meat, cold cuts, hot dogs, and fermented or dry sausages.
• Premade deli salads, such as coleslaw and potato, tuna, or chicken salad.
• Refrigerated pâté or meat spreads.
• Refrigerated smoked fish.
• Raw or lightly cooked sprouts.
• Cut melon left out for more than 2 hours. One hour if it’s exposed to temperatures hotter than 90 degrees.
• Cut melon in refrigerator for more than a week.
• Raw (unpasteurized) milk, yogurt, and ice cream.