A deadly listeria outbreak has sent shockwaves through the food industry, with the Boar’s Head recall at the center of growing concerns. The CDC reports that the death toll has risen to 9,

prompting urgent action and heightened awareness about food safety. This outbreak, linked to Listeria monocytogenes contamination, has become a significant public health issue in 2024.

The Boar’s Head recall has far-reaching implications, affecting consumers and the company alike. This article delves into the key aspects of the recall, exploring the nature of Listeria and its health risks. It also examines the impact of the outbreak, including deaths and illnesses, and looks into the food safety concerns at Boar’s Head facilities. Lastly, it offers insights on steps to take to protect yourself and your loved ones during this crisis.

The ‘Largest Listeria Outbreak Since 2011’

Boar’s Head Recall: What You Need to Know

Affected Products

The Boar’s Head recall encompasses a wide range of products manufactured at their Jarratt, Virginia facility. The recall includes liverwurst, various types of ham, bologna, beef salami, and bacon products ¹.

Specifically, the recall affects Strassburger Brand Liverwurst and nine other products made on the same production line ².

It’s important to note that most Boar’s Head products, including deli-sliced turkey, chicken, roast beef, charcuterie, and cheese, are not part of the recall ².

Recall Timeline

The recall process began on July 25, 2024, when Boar’s Head initially recalled their Strassburger Brand Liverwurst due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination ².

On July 29, 2024, after confirming a link between their liverwurst and the outbreak, the company expanded the recall to include all items produced at the same facility ². This expanded recall totaled approximately 7.2 million pounds of products ³.

Distribution Scope

The recalled products were distributed nationwide to retail deli locations ¹. Additionally, some products were exported to international markets, including the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama ⁴.

The affected items bear the establishment number “EST. 12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on their labels ¹.Consumers are advised not to consume any of the recalled products.

They should either discard these items or return them to the store for a refund ⁴. Given that Listeria bacteria can survive and grow in refrigerators, it’s recommended that individuals who had recalled products thoroughly clean and sanitize their refrigerators to prevent contamination ⁴.

Understanding Listeria and Its Risks

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a germ commonly found in soil, groundwater, rotting vegetation, and animal feces ¹.

This foodborne illness can affect various parts of the body, including the brain,spinal cord membranes, and bloodstream ². While anyone can contract listeriosis, certain groups face a higher risk of severe illness.

Symptoms of Listeria Infection

The symptoms of listeriosis can vary depending on the affected body parts. Common symptoms include:

• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Upset stomach and diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Confusion and loss of balance ³

In severe cases, listeriosis can lead to meningoencephalitis, causing sudden fever, intense headache, and signs of meningeal irritation ².

Pregnant women may experience mild flu-like symptoms, but the consequences for their unborn babies can be devastating, potentially resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth ⁴.

High-Risk Groups

While listeriosis can affect anyone, certain groups are at a higher risk of severe illness:

1. Pregnant women (about 20 times more likely to contract listeriosis)
2. Newborns
3. People over 65 years old
4. Individuals with weakened immune systems (e.g., those with HIV, cancer, or undergoing organ transplants)
5. People with chronic conditions like diabetes or kidney disease

For these high-risk groups, listeriosis can be life-threatening, with a mortality rate of 20-30% .

Incubation Period

The incubation period for listeriosis is highly variable. It can range from 3 to 70 days, with symptoms usually appearing within a month ². In some cases, it may take as little as a few days or as long as 90 days for symptoms to manifest .

This extended incubation period makes it challenging to identify the exact source of contamination, complicating outbreak investigations and prevention efforts.

Impact of the Outbreak: Deaths and Illnesses

The recent listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats has had a significant impact across multiple states. As of August 27, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 57 people infected with the outbreak strain of listeria across 18 states, with all cases resulting in hospitalization ¹.

The outbreak has tragically claimed nine lives, with deaths reported in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina (two deaths), and Florida ².

State-by-State Breakdown

New York has been hit hardest by the outbreak, reporting 17 cases of listeriosis, all of which required hospitalization ³. The state has also confirmed one death linked to the outbreak ³.

While the outbreak seems to have concentrated on the East Coast of the U.S., its impact has been felt across the country ².

Potential Underreporting

The true extent of the outbreak may be underestimated due to potential underreporting. The incidence of listeriosis is difficult to establish accurately, as symptoms may be mistaken for flu-like illness or gastroenteritis, leading to appropriate cultures not being obtained ⁴.

Countries with active surveillance programs typically report higher incidence rates, ranging from 0.6 to 6.2 cases per million ⁴.

Long-Term Health Consequences

While the immediate impact of the outbreak is evident, the long-term health consequences for survivors can be significant. Listeria infections can lead to severe complications, including meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain .

In newborns or fetuses, listeria infections may result in long-term consequences such as mental retardation, seizures, paralysis, blindness, or deafness . Additionally, some individuals may develop reactive arthritis, which can persist for months or years and potentially lead to chronic arthritis .

Food Safety Concerns at Boar’s Head Facility

USDA Inspection Reports

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) filed 69 reports of “noncompliances” over the past year at the Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia ¹.

These reports revealed numerous sanitation issues, raising significant concerns about food safety practices at the facility. Inspectors discovered a range of problems, including the presence of insects, mold, and unsanitary conditions ¹.

Sanitation Issues

The inspection reports highlighted alarming sanitation failures at the Jarratt plant. Inspectors found both dead and live insects near food production areas, including flies near pickle vats and ants along walls ¹.

Black and green mold, as well as mildew, were observed in various parts of the facility ¹. Additionally, puddles of blood and rancid odors were reported in coolers ¹.

Other sanitation issues included:

1. Heavy discolored meat buildup on equipment
2. Beaded condensation in coolers
3. Meat residue on food contact surfaces
4. Clogged drains creating unsanitary conditions
5. Black mold-like substances in holding coolers ²

These conditions create an environment conducive to the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for the current outbreak ².

Calls for Investigation

Food safety experts have expressed grave concerns about the conditions at the Boar’s Head facility. Bill Marler, a Seattle attorney specializing in food safety, stated, “This is the worst set of inspection reports I have ever seen” ¹. He called for a congressional investigation into how the listeria outbreak arose and why inspectors allowed these plant conditions to persist for so long ¹.

Marler also suggested that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) should have closed the plant earlier, given the “repeated violations of the law” ³.

He urged Boar’s Head to take more extensive actions, including offering to pay victims’ medical bills and lost wages, and disclosing all listeria test results from recent years ³.

Conclusion

The Boar’s Head recall due to Listeria contamination has had a significant impact on public health, causing nine deaths and numerous hospitalizations across multiple states. This outbreak has shed light on the critical importance of stringent food safety measures and the potential consequences of lapses in sanitation protocols. The extensive nature of the recall, affecting millions of pounds of products, underscores the far-reaching effects of food safety issues on consumers and the industry alike.

Moving forward, this incident serves as a stark reminder to implement more robust food safety practices and to enhance regulatory oversight.

It highlights the need to prioritize consumer safety and to maintain transparency in food production processes. As investigations continue and measures are taken to prevent future outbreaks, consumers are urged to stay informed about food recalls and to take necessary precautions to protect their health.

References

[1] – http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co–expands-recall-ready-eat-meat-and-poultry-products-due
[2] – http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co–recalls-ready-eat-liverwurst-and-other-deli-meat-products
[3] – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boars-head-listeria-recall-bug-mold-mildew-what-to-know/
[4] – https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/boars-head-deadly-listeria-outbreak-food-safety-lawyer-asks-congress-investigate