Listeria outbreaks have popped up across the country this year, resulting in hundreds of hospitalizations and multiple deaths caused by exposure to the pathogen.
From deli meat to peanuts to even mushrooms , several major outbreaks and recalls have been announced by officials since January. One of the largest is the ongoing outbreak tied to Boar’s Head deli meat , which left 59 sick, including 10 dead, across 19 states.
Boar’s Head is not the only company grappling with the bacteria in the U.S.: companies like BrucePac and BrightFarms, among others have seen significant recalls and outbreaks caused by listeria in 2024.
With various listeria-related recalls still playing out across the country, here's where things stand.
Boar’s Head
- Recall Date: July 19
- What products were affected: 7.2 million pounds of liverwurst and other ready-to-eat deli meats
- How many people were affected: 59 hospitalized, including 10 dead
- Where the outbreak originated: Jarratt, Virginia
- Current status: Jarratt facility closed, permanent discontinuation of liverwurst. Investigation ongoing .
BrucePac
Enoki King Mushroom Farm
- Recall Date: Oct. 15
- What products were affected: 5.3 oz packages of Enoki mushrooms
- How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of infection
- Where the outbreak originated: Ventura, California
- Current Status: Ongoing
BrightFarms
- Recall Date: Jan. 17 and Feb. 8.
- What products were affected: Spinach sold in salad, spinach kits and cheese in salad kits .
- How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
- Where the outbreak originated: Pompton Plains, New Jersey
- Current Status: Closed
Planters Peanuts
- Recall Date: May 6
- What products were affected: Two varieties of Planters products.
- How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
- Where the outbreak originated: Information not released by Hormel Foods
- Current Status: Closed
TreeHouse Foods
- Recall Date: Oct. 18
- What products were affected: Multiple brands of frozen waffles
- How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
- Where the outbreak originated: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
- Current Status: Ongoing
ANSWERS Pet Food
- Recall Date: Sep. 26
- What products were affected: ANSWERS brand dog food .
- How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
- Where the outbreak originated: Fleetwood, Pennsylvania
- Current Status: Ongoing
Deaths associated with listeria outbreaks
The only deaths reported from listeria outbreaks this year have come from the large Boar's Head outbreak, which has claimed 10 lives as of Sep. 23, according to the CDC.
Listeriosis or listeria poisoning symptoms
Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant people.
According to the USDA, symptoms include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Diarrhea
- Other gastrointestinal symptoms
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
- Death
People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food, said the USDA.
This article has been updated to add new information.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tracking listeria outbreaks and recalls across the US: Where are the cases?
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