Third Death Linked to Boar's Head Deli Meat Contamination Raises Concerns as Florida Publix Linked to Pregnant Woman Illness.
Hollywood, FL - The recent listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head Deli meats has claimed its third victim and has also been linked to a South Florida Publix, raising concerns about food safety and measures to protect consumers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the latest death occurred in Virginia, adding to the fatalities in New Jersey and Illinois. The outbreak has now sickened 43 people across 13 states.
Understanding Listeria and Its Lethal Impact Listeria monocytogenes is a resilient bacterium that can survive and grow even at refrigeration temperatures. It is commonly found in soil, water, and animal feces and can contaminate various foods, including deli meats, unpasteurized milk products, and raw vegetables. When ingested, listeria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can be fatal, especially for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Listeriosis symptoms can appear anywhere from a few hours to 30 days or more after consuming contaminated food. These symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. For pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe infection in the newborn.
Florida Initially Left Out of Recall Initially, the recall of Boar's Head products did not include Florida, despite the state being a major market for the company. However, after further investigation, the recall was expanded to include Florida, and Publix has since removed all affected products from its shelves.
Publix and Boar's Head: A Major Partnership in Florida Publix, a leading supermarket chain in Florida, has a long-standing partnership with Boar's Head. This partnership offers a wide range of deli meats in stores nationwide, making Boar's Head products a staple in many Floridian households, particularly the popular "Pub Subs" offered at Publix delis.
Ensuring Customer Safety: Measures Taken by Publix and Boar's Head Boar's Head recalled 7 million pounds of deli meats produced at their Virginia facility in response to the outbreak. The recall, which initially excluded Florida, was later expanded to include the state after further testing confirmed the presence of listeria in products sold there. Publix has since removed all affected products from its stores and implemented rigorous cleaning and sanitization protocols to prevent further contamination.
Illness Linked to Flordia Publix Boar's Head has also advised consumers to discard any recalled products or return them to the store for a refund. The company is facing multiple lawsuits, including a class-action suit in New York and a case involving a pregnant woman who contracted listeriosis after consuming Boar's Head meat purchased at a Florida Publix.
The lawsuit said that Solberg was 35 weeks pregnant while on vacation in Hollywood, Florida, when she bought and ate Boar's Head sliced turkey and sliced ham from Publix. Unbeknownst to her, the deli meat was contaminated with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes, as confirmed by blood samples during her hospital visit submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Testing verified it was listeriosis, and sample testing from the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC matched it to the outbreak strain, the lawsuit states. Solberg was hospitalized for six days and given an intensive antibiotic treatment to protect her unborn child, which continued after her release.
The Long-Term Risks of Listeria Infection One of the most concerning aspects of listeriosis is its ability to strike long after consumption. Symptoms can take weeks or even months to appear, making it difficult to trace the source of the infection. This delayed onset poses significant challenges for public health officials and underscores the importance of stringent food safety measures.
Going Foward The tragic deaths linked to the Boar's Head listeria outbreak highlight the critical need for inspections in food safety practices. As the investigation continues, both Boar's Head and Publix are taking steps to ensure the safety of their customers. Consumers are urged to stay informed about recalls and practice safe food handling to protect themselves and their families from this deadly bacterium.
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Florida you have to do better inspecting your meat making sure that it's not contaminated with any bacteria or anything before selling it to the public
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