Boar’s Head Expands Recall to Over 7 Million Pounds of Deli Meat After Deadly Listeria Outbreak

According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS), the Boar’s Head Provisions Co. recall has been expanded to include dozens of additional products totaling over 7 million pounds of deli meat. Boar’s Head, along with the FSIS, issued an update to the previous recall of over 200,000 pounds of deli meat due to possible Listeria contamination.

Testing has been ongoing since the original investigation of a nationwide Listeria outbreak began. Since then, “Whole genome sequencing results show that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes,” the FSIS said in a statement. Because the bacteria is so easily transmissible, anything containing or produced on the same production line and on the same day as the affected liverwurst is now being recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Which Boar’s Head Deli Meats Are Part of the Expanded Recall?

This expansion includes 71 products intended for slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products. The affected meats were produced between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. The “sell by” dates range from July 29, 2024, through Oct. 17, 2024, and bear the establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.

The products subject to recall were distributed to retail locations nationwide, and some were exported outside of the U.S. as well, to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.

Some examples of the larger quantities shipped out include the following labels:

• Boar’s Head Hot Butt Cappy Ham (Sell by: 31-JUL-24 to 09-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Sweet Slice Ham Half (Selly by: 29-JUL-24 to 13-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Tavern Ham (Sell by: 31-JUL-24 to 11-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Olive Loaf (Sell by: 31-JUL-24 to 06-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Bologna Thin Half (Sell by: 31-JUL-24 to 09-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Beef Bologna (Sell by: 29-JUL-24 to 09-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head SmokeMaster Beechwood Smoked Black Forest Ham Whole (Sell by: 31-JUL-24 to 11-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Sweet Slice Ham Service Case (Sell by: 30-JUL-24 to 13-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Tavern Ham Whole (Sell by: 31-JUL-24 to 11-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Brown Sugar & Spice Delight Off the Bone Ham (Sell by: 31-JUL-24 to 09-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Skinless Beef Franks, 12-ounce (Sell by: 30-JUL-24 to 14-SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Natural Casing Beef Franks, 8/1, 14-ounce (Sell by: 30-JUL-24-15 to SEP-24)
• Boar’s Head Bratwurst, 1-pound (Sell by: 29-JUL-24 to 17-OCT-24)
• Old Country Tavern Ham (Sell by: 30-JUL-24 to 08-SEP-24)

The full product list is available on the FSIS site, and labels can be viewed here.

As of July 30, the CDC has identified 34 sick people in 13 states, 33 hospitalizations, and two deaths related to this nationwide Listeria outbreak.

If you believe you have purchased any of the recalled products, you are urged to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase, and to clean out your refrigerator thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277.

Listeria can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. It is particularly risky during pregnancy. If you believe you have consumed any of the recalled products and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you’re encouraged to contact your healthcare provider and seek medical care.