Maryland issues Listeria alert; Boar’s Head deli meat recalled

MARYLAND ( DC News Now ) –The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) issued a consumer advisory on Friday regarding certain Boar’s Head deli meats because Listeria bacteria may have contaminated them.

This consumer advisory comes after a sample collected by the Department tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. MDH and the Baltimore City Health Department collected an unopened liverwurst product from a store for testing as part of a Listeria outbreak investigation, according to an MDH press release .

Further testing will determine if the product sample is related to the outbreak, according to MDH.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there is a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections, and officials across states are working to investigate.

As of July 26, 34 people reported being infected across 13 states . Of these reported infections, 33 people have been hospitalized, according to data from the CDC . The states with the highest confirmed cases are New York (12) and Maryland (six).

The CDC said two deaths have been reported, one in Illinois and one in New Jersey.

The MDH specifically advised consumers to avoid Boar’s Head ready-to-eat liverwurst products produced between June 11 and July 17, 2024. The affected products include:

• 3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing or various-weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA.” The products shipped to retailers bear sell-by dates printed on the side of the packaging, ranging from July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024.

Consumers should also avoid the following Boar’s Head ready-to-eat deli meat products produced on June 27, 2024, according to MDH:

• 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM” with the sell-by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb. or various-weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with the sell-by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 6-lb. or various-weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with the sell-by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb. or various-weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA” with the sell-by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 2.5-lb. or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI” with the sell-by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT” with a sell-by date “AUG 15” on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA” with a sell-by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA” with a sell-by date of “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

What exactly is Listeria?:

Listeria are bacteria that can contaminate foods, and people who eat those foods can get infected with Listeria (listeriosis).

According to the CDC , Listeria is especially harmful to pregnant women, people 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems.

For more information on Listeria symptoms, visit the CDC website .

What people at higher risk should do:

• Do not eat meats you get sliced at any deli counter unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until steaming. Let it cool before consumption.
• Do not eat recalled products
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms:
  • People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.
  • Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns

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