A third person has died from a listeria outbreak in the US linked to Boar’s Head’s deli meats, according to a federal food safety centre.
Since the expansion of a product recall of US-based Boar’s Head meat and poultry products was announced last month, another person has died in Virginia. The other two deaths were in New Jersey and Illinois.
Meanwhile, nine more infection cases have been reported, bringing the total figure to 43 hospitalisations.
Boar’s Head recalled seven million pounds of deli meats on 30 July, expanding an initial recall on 25 July when the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was notified that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.
The recall expansion included 71 products produced between 10 May 2024 and 29 July 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. They have “sell by” dates ranging from 29 July 2024 through 17 October 2024.
The deli meats were produced at its Jarratt, Virginia, facility on the same production line and on the same day as the liverwurst product which first “had the potential to be adulterated” with listeria.
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Last month, Boar’s Head said in a statement: “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility. We have also decided to pause ready-to-eat operations at this facility until further notice. As a company that prioritises safety and quality, we believe it is the right thing to do.
“On behalf of all of us at Boar’s Head Brand, we want to let our customers and consumers know that we deeply regret that our liverwurst products were found to be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness.”
The USDA said consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenescan can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems.
Earlier this week, the listeria outbreak in Canada from plant-based milk alternatives sold by French dairy giant Danone and retail heavyweight Walmart was traced back to an Ontario factory.
