Have you spotted recalled meat in your refrigerator but think it may be OK to eat? Think twice before eating it because of a foodborne bacteria found in some deli meats. What’s even more concerning is that a listeria infection could put you in the hospital and even cause death.
Following continued deaths and hospitalizations linked to listeria cases, federal health officials are urging Americans to check their refrigerators and discard any recalled deli meats, which have been the source of the U.S. outbreak.
Black Americans are the second most affected ethnic group in the United States when it comes to listeria cases.
So far, the deadly Listeria outbreak linked to contaminated deli meats has claimed nine lives and hospitalized 57 people across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., CBS News reported.
It’s unclear where all the deaths have occurred, but a CDC press release said that since its last report on August 8, “the five new deaths include one from Florida, one from Tennessee, one from New Mexico, and two from South Carolina.”
The outbreak, which began in July 2024, has been traced back to meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst. The affected products have sell-by dates extending into October of 2024. This is the largest listeria outbreak since the one in 2011 connected to cantaloupe.
Listeria can survive on surfaces like meat slicers and even in refrigerated temperatures. The CDC warns that it can take up to 10 weeks for symptoms of listeriosis to appear.
The outbreak has affected people aged 32 to 95, with a median age of 77. CDC data shows the highest number of infections are among white individuals, followed by Black Americans, Asian people, and those who identify as other races. Of those infected, the CDC report showed that 75 percent were White, 17 percent were African American/Black, four percent were Asian, and four percent identified as other races.
Here’s what you should know:
What is listeria?
Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause a serious infection called listeriosis, which is mainly foodborne. It is caused by consuming foods contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
Symptoms typically start one to four weeks after eating contaminated food but can appear as early as the same day or up to 70 days later, the CDC says. Listeria can cause severe illness when it spreads beyond the gut.
Pregnant women usually experience fever, fatigue and muscle aches. The infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in newborns. Those infected who are not pregnant may experience headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, and muscle aches.
What should you do?
First off, federal health officials urge that you do not eat any recalled deli meats. Instead, throw them away or return them to the stores. Be sure to clean your refrigerator, containers and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled meats.
Remember: refrigeration doesn’t kill listeria, but reheating the meats to a high temperature before eating will eliminate any germs.
More about recalled food
Boar’s Head has recalled approximately seven million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in July.
The CDC noted that Boar’s Head has recalled its “Strassburger Brand Liverwurst,” made in Virginia, due to safety concerns. The affected products include 3.5-pound loaves in plastic or various weight packages sliced at delis. These were produced between June 11 and July 17, 2024, and have sell-by dates from July 25 to August 30, 2024. Here’s the full recall notice.
Some individuals have filed lawsuits against Boar’s Head after consuming the company’s products, according to the Associated Press.
Source of the outbreak
The Maryland Department of Health found listeria in a Boar’s Head liverwurst sample in July, leading to an expanded recall.
The outbreak has affected 57 people across 18 states — Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The first case was reported on gMay 29, 2024, and the last on August 16, 2024.
At-risk groups
The outbreak has particularly impacted vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, those aged 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems. While others can get infected, they rarely face severe illness.
If you fall into these high-risk categories, the CDC advises:
- Avoid eating recalled deli meats. Dispose of them or contact stores about returns.
- Do not consume any other deli meats from deli counters unless they are reheated to 165°F or steaming hot. Let them cool before eating.
- Listeria can grow in the refrigerator but is killed by thorough heating.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with deli meats, especially if you purchased recalled products.
- Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any symptoms.
