Food Safety Alert: Boar’s Head deli meat products recalled

Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has been made aware of a recall involving more than 200,000 pounds of Boar’s Head deli meat products. The products were distributed to delis nationwide, and may have been sold in Mesa County. The food is being recalled due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service, 34 sick people have been identified so far in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Description of Recalled Products

• Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA
  • Sell by dates on product packaging range from July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024.
• Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM
  • Sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM
  • Sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM
  • Sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• Boar’s Head BOLOGNA
  • Sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI
  • Sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT
  • Sell by date “AUG 15” on the product packaging.
• Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA 
  • Sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA
  • Sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.   

What Should Consumers Do

• Consumers and retailers should check their refrigerators for any of the recalled items and throw them away.
• Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination.
• Retail delis are also recommended to clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli.
• Visit the USDA’s website for additional information about the products involved in the recall.  

Listeria Description and Treatment

• Eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis. This can cause a serious infection in young children, older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.
• Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
• In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. 
• Serious and sometimes fatal infections are possible in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. 
• Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care.