Boar’s Head Liverwurst, Other Deli Meats Recalled

There’s yet another issue with America’s deli meats. According to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Boar’s Head Provisions Co. is recalling all of its liverwurst products, as well as some additional deli meat items that were produced by the brand, due to Listeria concerns. This recall comes days after The Centers for Disease Control confirmed that there is currently a nationwide Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats sold nationwide. 

Per the FSIS, this recall impacts ready-to-eat liverwurst products that were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, as well as several other ready-to-eat deli meat products that were produced on June 27, 2024, on the same line as the liverwurst. Approximately 207,528 pounds of products are being recalled, and the recalled items were distributed to retail deli locations across the country. The liverwurst items have a 44-day shelf life. 

All of the recalled deli items bear establishment number “EST. 12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. For a full list of the recalled Boar’s Head products, see below:

• 3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA.” The products shipped to retailers bear sell by dates ranging July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024, printed on the side of the packaging.
• 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 6-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT” with sell by date “AUG 15” on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.     

The FSIS notes that this issue was discovered after The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst sample from a retail store, and that sample tested positive for Listeria. The sample was obtained as part of an investigation into the previously mentioned Listeria outbreak that is still ongoing. 

Thus far, this nationwide outbreak has led to two deaths and nearly three dozen hospitalizations. FSIS, The CDC, and state public health partners are currently investigating the deadly outbreak, but more tests need to be done to determine if the liverwurst sample is related to said outbreak. 

Still, the FSIS strongly recommends that consumers who have purchased these recalled products throw them away or return them to the place of purchase without consuming them. Shoppers who bought these items are also urged to clean their refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of any cross-contamination. Additionally, retailers in possession of these items are being encouraged to clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces, and discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli section.

Per the FDA, Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. While healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, as well as other serious complications for the elderly or immunocompromised.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head customer service at 1-800-352-6277.