US’s Boar’s Head expands meat recall amid deadly listeria outbreak

USA –  US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded the recall of Boar’s Head meat and poultry products due to a listeria outbreak that has resulted in two fatalities. 

An additional seven million pounds of deli and poultry items are now being recalled, following last week’s initial recall of Strassburger brand liverwurst products.

The broadened recall now encompasses 71 products produced between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. 

These items have “sell by” dates ranging from July 29, 2024, to October 17, 2024.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) discovered the issue when a liverwurst sample tested positive for listeria monocytogenes during a routine inspection by the Maryland Department of Health. 

As a precaution, Boar’s Head has expanded the recall to include all items produced at its Jarratt, Virginia facility, where the initial contaminated liverwurst was manufactured.

In response, Boar’s Head issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to consumer safety: “In an abundance of caution, we have chosen to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to cover all items produced at our Jarratt facility. We have also suspended ready-to-eat operations at this facility until further notice. As a company that values safety and quality, this was a necessary step.”

Boar’s Head expressed deep regret for the incident: “We profoundly apologize to our customers and consumers for the distress caused by the adulteration of our liverwurst products with listeria monocytogenes. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families affected by this tragedy and to those who have fallen ill.”

The USDA has warned that consumption of food contaminated with listeria monocytogenes can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection especially dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

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