Editor’s Note, for the Digital Desk segment in the video player on this page: According to the USDA, the Boar’s Head recall expansion includes 71 products produced between May 10, 2024 and July 29, 2024. The products include meat sliced at delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products. Click here to view a full product list.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats caused more than 40 illnesses in 13 states. Three people have died, including one in Virginia.
According to the CDC, Boar’s Head Ready-To-Eat Liverwurst products and other Boat’s Head Deli Meat Products from their Jarratt, Virginia facility have been recalled. Click here to view more information and the full list of recalled items from the USDA.
Rishi Drolia, Ph.D., a professor of biological sciences at Old Dominion University, was at the Digital Desk to discuss the current Listeria outbreak. Watch the segment in the video player on this page.
At first, the recall only included liverwurst, but then grew to a total of 71 products.
On Thursday, August 15 Boar’s Head released an updated statement explaining the recall and the products affected. You can take a look at the link here.
“It is not uncommon to find Listeria, especially in the food chain,” Drolia said. “And deli meat provides the perfect environment for Listeria.”
Listeria is bacteria that can contaminate foods, leaving people who eat those foods to be infected. Symptoms can vary, but can be serious and life-threatening.
“Once it is in the bloodstream, a majority of patients have to get hospitalized, get IV antibiotics,” Drolia said.
Out of the 43 infected by this outbreak, are all hospitalized. Drolia said about 94% of people infected by Listeria are hospitalized. Along with the high rate of hospitalization, Listeria also has a fatality rate of 30%.
Listeria impacts certain groups more. The CDC says Listeria can be more harmful for pregnant people, newborns, adults aged 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems.
For those groups, Drolia recommends eating meat that is not raw, and make sure to heat meat up before you eat it.
The food industry is also impacted by Listeria outbreaks.
“It is also affecting all of the grocery stores,” Drolia said. “When there is an outbreak, they also have to get rid of the food and food in the supply chain, so that is impacting everyone from the manufacturer to where it’s sold to people who use it.”
It is not only prevalent in deli meat and products, but also other items and produce at the grocery store.
“The unique thing of Listeria is it has the innate ability to withstand harsh conditions,” said Drolia.
Listeria can withstand harsh environments our food has like acidic, high pH. It also can withstand different temperatures, such as frozen, refrigerated or room.
The United States has different Listeria guidelines than other countries. The Food and Safety Inspection Service (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have guidelines to control Listeria.
Drolia said other countries have different guidelines and can have different outbreaks. He said Canada is experiencing an outbreak of Listeria in some plant-based milk.
Here are some tips to help with prevention:
- Make sure to follow guidelines to properly clean, cook and chill.
- Do not cross-contaminate and separate where you handle raw meat products, such as putting it right from the package into a pan.
- Stay updated on the latest food recalls and outbreaks.
Click here to find out the latest details about the recent outbreak. Click here to find out more information about Listeria and prevention.
