A third person has died in the United States due to a listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, according to a federal food safety centre.
Since the expansion of the product recall involving US-based Boar’s Head meat and poultry products was announced last month, another person has died in Virginia. The other two deaths occurred in New Jersey and Illinois.
In addition, nine more cases of infection have been reported, bringing the total number of hospitalisations to 43.
Boar’s Head recalled seven million pounds of deli meats on 30th July, expanding an initial recall that took place on 25th July when the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was informed that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.
The expanded recall included 71 products produced between 10th May 2024 and 29th July 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. These products have “sell by” dates ranging from 29th July 2024 through to 17th October 2024.
The deli meats were produced at the Jarratt, Virginia, facility on the same production line and on the same day as the liverwurst product, which was initially “potentially adulterated” with listeria.
Last month, Boar’s Head released a statement saying: “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility. We have also decided to pause ready-to-eat operations at this facility until further notice. As a company that prioritises safety and quality, we believe it is the right thing to do.
“On behalf of all of us at Boar’s Head Brand, we want to let our customers and consumers know that we deeply regret that our liverwurst products were found to be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness.”
The USDA stated that consuming food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have weakened immune systems.
Earlier this week, the listeria outbreak in Canada, linked to plant-based milk alternatives sold by French dairy giant Danone and retail giant Walmart, was traced back to a factory in Ontario.
