9 people now dead from listeria outbreak tied to Boar's Head deli meats

A listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats has resulted in the deaths of at least nine people and the hospitalization of 57 others, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The outbreak, which began in late May and continued into August, is the largest of its kind in the United States since 2011. Boar’s Head has since recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli products as a result.

What caused the outbreak?

The listeria outbreak was first detected when a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for the bacteria. 

Further investigation revealed that the strain was the same one causing illnesses across several states. Initially, the recall focused on liverwurst and other deli products with sell-by dates from July 25 to August 30. However, the recall was expanded on July 29 to include all products from the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia.

How dangerous is listeria?

Listeria is a particularly hardy bacteria that can thrive even in refrigerated conditions, making it a significant threat in food products like deli meats. 

Gram-positive bacilli that cause listeriosis, captured under an optical microscope at 1000x magnification. (Photo by BSIP/UIG via Getty Images)

According to the CDC, about 1,600 people contract listeria food poisoning each year in the U.S., with approximately 260 fatalities. The infection is especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can appear quickly or take up to 10 weeks to manifest after consuming contaminated food, making it difficult to identify the source of infection.

What should consumers do?

Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators for any recalled Boar’s Head products, identified by EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the labels. The CDC recommends discarding any affected products and thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces they may have touched to prevent further contamination.