Boar's Head Listeria outbreak: What you need to know

A Listeria outbreak in Boar’s Head deli meats is linked to at least nine deaths and 57 hospitalizations across 18 states. Boar’s Head has recalled its deli meat products out of concern for potential contamination. Here’s what you should know about the dangerous bacteria and how to protect your health.

A Listeria outbreak has led to a recall of Boar’s Head deli meats

As of August 28, 2024, there have been nine deaths and 57 total hospitalizations linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in Boar’s Head deli meats. The deaths have been reported in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, and South Carolina, and the disease cases span across 18 states.

Due to the outbreak, Boar’s Head recalled its deli meat products out of concern for potential contamination. On July 26, Boar’s Head first announced a recall of ready-to-eat liverwurst items produced between June 11 and July 17, as well as certain ready-to-eat deli meats. The company later expanded its recall on July 30 to include all its deli meats produced from May 10 to July 29, which have sell-by dates ranging from July 29 to October 17. The recall applies to both deli meat sold at deli counters and certain prepackaged poultry and meats sold in retail locations to consumers. 

Why is Listeria so dangerous?

Listeria is a type of bacteria naturally occurring in soil, but can live in environments ranging from acidic to salty, in high and low temperatures, and in low moisture. Because of that, Listeria can survive for a very long time (in one case, more than 10 years!), making it particularly hard to wipe out outbreaks. The bacteria can spread via contaminated foods to surfaces and equipment such as deli slicers, where it can then spread to other deli foods.

Although it is rare, Listeria infection is one of the leading causes of death from foodborne illnesses. Listeria contamination is responsible for listeriosis, the hard-to-diagnose infection that can cause preterm labor, stillbirth, or miscarriage in pregnant people, who are 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than other people. Listeriosis can also cause symptoms like fever, headache, flu-like symptoms like muscles aches and fatigue, and stiff neck. The infection primarily strikes older adults, pregnant people, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.

Another thing that makes Listeria dangerous is that unlike some other food pathogens that cause food poisoning, Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures. Accordingly, cold storage does not prevent risk of contamination, although reheating to 165 degrees can kill the bacteria.

Some typical sources of Listeria in foods include raw milk, cheeses made with raw milk, soft cheeses, deli meats, raw sprouts, melon, and smoked fish.

How can you protect against Listeria contamination?

To protect your health, an important first step is to scan your kitchen for any products that are on the recalled list of potentially contaminated Boar’s Head items. Consumers are advised to avoid eating and to throw away or return any recalled products, as well as to thoroughly disinfect any surfaces or containers that could have touched the potentially contaminated items.

People with heightened risk levels, such as people with weakened immune systems, who are pregnant, or who are 65 years old or older, should take additional precautions. For example, high-risk individuals are advised to only eat deli meats that have been reheated, to clean surfaces or containers that could have touched any sliced deli meat products, and to contact their health care providers if any symptoms of listeriosis arise.

Some other tips to avoid Listeria contamination include avoiding raw milk and raw sprouts, seeking out pasteurized milk in the ingredients list of soft cheeses like brie and Camembert, and refrigerating cut melon for no more than a week.

Support CSPI’s efforts to protect food safety

CSPI pushes for policies to keep our food supply free of dangerous pathogens, fight antibiotic resistance in the food chain, control and label allergens, and curb the use of synthetic dyes and poorly tested additives. We led the fight for national legislation that promises safer produce, and whole and processed foods that are regulated by the FDA. You can support our efforts to foster a safer food system today.