Deli Meats, Vegetables and More Recalls to Be Aware of

At EatingWell, we’re constantly keeping our readers up to date on the latest food recalls, and this past week has been especially crucial. It’s important to stay informed, and the recent recalls involving deli meats and vegetables sold nationwide are constantly expanding. Here are the recalls that you should be aware of right now, plus the precautionary measures that may be worth taking.

1. Boar’s Head and Old Country Deli Meats

There is an active recall surrounding Boar’s Head and Old Country deli meat, sausage, kielbasa and other ready-to-eat deli meat products, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). This is the result of a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has infected and hospitalized more than 30 people nationwide.

The investigation is ongoing, but if you have any of the listed ham, salami, cheese, liverwurst, bologna or other meats affected, dispose of them immediately. Listeria infection (listeriosis) is typically non-life-threatening, but it can be serious for those age 65 or older, immunocompromised, pregnant or young children. Common symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. More severe signs may include headaches, loss of balance, confusion and convulsions. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming ready-to-eat Boar’s Head or Old Country meat products.

2. Vegetables

Aldi, Kroger, Walmart and regional grocery stores have recently recalled over a dozen types of vegetables sold fresh in the produce section, also due to a possible Listeria contamination. Ranging from various types of peppers, herbs, squash and seasonal vegetables like cucumbers, green beans and more, stores are taking action by removing any affected vegetables from their shelves. Fortunately, there are no illnesses connected to this recall.

To lower your risk of bacterial infection from food, it’s important to wash produce before eating or preparing. Plus, be sure to wash your hands and other potentially contaminated surfaces as bacteria like Listeria can quickly spread to other people and food.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been making headlines throughout the year, starting in March with an initial recall on ground cinnamon due to excessive lead in the powder. Now, the problem has resurfaced as more ground cinnamon products are being recalled for the same issue.

ALB Flavor, Spice Class and Shahzada branded ground cinnamon and cinnamon powder are currently affected. If you have any of these brands in your spice cabinet, check the UPC and expiration date to see if it matches the recalled information. If it does, throw it away or return the product to your place of purchase.

Short-term exposure to lead is often harmless, but chronic exposure can be dangerous for young children as it can cause permanent nervous system damage, resulting in side effects like learning disorders, development defects and other severe health problems.

4. Plant-Based Milk

There are 18 illnesses, including 13 hospitalizations and 2 deaths involving plant-based milk products recently recalled in Canada, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This is due to a Listeria contamination.

The cartons impacted are Great Value branded unsweetened, original and vanilla almond milk as well as a range of Silk brand almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk and more. These milk alternatives have a printed best-by date on or before October 4, 2024. This recall currently only affects products sold in Canada, but EatingWell will publish updates on any of the above listed recalls as soon as they are available.