A third person has died from a nationwide Listeria outbreak linked to processed meats sliced at deli counters, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week.
The outbreak led Boar’s Head Deli Meats to recall more than 7 million pounds of deli and poultry as dozens of people became sick in states nationwide.
As of this week, the CDC is reporting that the outbreak has affected consumers in 13 states, and a total of 43 people have been hospitalized and three have died. New York had the most reported cases at 14, followed by Maryland with 8.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in July stated that the recalled products were distributed to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.
The products in question bear the establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
The FSIS says the problem was discovered when a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
“Old-Fashioned Detective Work”
Earlier this month, the Baltimore Banner reported that the source of the outbreak was discovered when Maryland health officials “used a combination of old-fashioned detective work, modern biotechnology, and a blender to nail the culprit in a Baltimore grocery store.”
After seven people in Maryland became ill, state epidemiologists began interviewing them about what they had eaten and where they shop. The patients had an average age of 74, leading investigators to think they might have been eating a product that younger generations don’t.
This led them to liverwurst, a German sausage made from pork or beef livers. Investigators then went to a Baltimore grocery store to buy unopened packages. At a lab run by Sin Urban, division chief of Maryland’s Division of Environmental Sciences Laboratories Administration, a 3-pound loaf of liverwurst was placed in a blender and then multiple samples were tested. The liverwurst tested positive for listeria and then scientists immediately informed the USDA which announced the Boar's Head recall.
The outbreak could be more widespread
The CDC has noted that the outbreak may not be limited to those 13 states and that the true number of sick people is likely higher than those reported because some people recover without medical care and are not treated for Listeria. Also, the CDC said it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
In July, Boar’s Head posted a statement on its website that included a list of 57 recalled products that consumers should discard or return for a refund. Boar’s Head said it began an immediate recall on July 25 after the company determined its Strassburger Brand Liverwurst product had the potential to be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.
In July, the U.S. The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported that the recall includes 71 products produced between May 10 and July 29, 2024.
The outbreak featured in statements made by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this week, who told the Associated Press that he would block proposed legislation that would cut 22% of the CDC’s funding.
“A slash of 22% to the CDC at a time when there’s a listeria outbreak should churn all our stomachs,” Schumer said.
He added that if the measure passes “the overall food safety apparatus of the federal government could be risked.”
Around 1,600 Serious Infections Per Year
According to the CDC, an estimated 1,600 people develop a serious Listeria infection (Listeriosis) each year, and about 260 die. Those most at risk include pregnant women and newborns, adults 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.
In mild cases, Listeria can cause symptoms such as a fever, muscle aches, and diarrhea. In more serious cases it can cause symptoms like headaches, loss of balance, or convulsions.
In July, two people in Canada died from Listeria infections caused by consuming milk substitutes sold under the brands Silk and Great Value.
The Top Cause of Recalls? Allergens
In 2023, the FDA reported that undeclared allergens were the cause of almost half (49.3%) of food recalls, far more than listeria contamination (15%) and salmonella contamination (8.6%).
Allergen-related recalls occur when food is contaminated with allergens. The FDA said part of the rise in allergen-related recalls in recent years was due to the inclusion of sesame as a disclosed allergen, representing 39% of the increase.
To learn about some steps you can take to prevent a food safety recall, watch our recent webinar "How You Can Prevent Food Safety Recalls," featuring Joel Chappelle, Attorney and Consultant at Food Industry Counsel LLC. Now streaming on-demand here on the Rootwurks website.
