At least six people in Maryland are among several who have become ill after federal officials reported a listeria outbreak in consumer meats.
U.S. health officials Friday announced a recall of some Boar’s Head liverwurst and other deli meats as they investigate the listeria outbreak that has sickened nearly three dozen people and caused two deaths.
Boar’s Head Provisions Co. recalled its liverwurst because a test in Baltimore determined it may be tainted with the listeria bacteria, the U.S. Agriculture Department said. The company is also recalling additional deli meats that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst.
The USDA and Maryland Department of Health said a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst from a Baltimore store tested positive for listeria. The sample was from an unopened package, collected by state and local health officials as part of an investigation into the listeria outbreak.
Testing is underway to determine if the liverwurst sample is connected to the outbreak, health officials said.
The outbreak was first reported last week and had sickened 34 people, two of whom died, as of Thursday.
In Maryland, at least six people were sick with illnesses linked to the outbreak, said Chase Cook, a state health department spokesperson. Those cases were spread between Baltimore and Baltimore County as well as in Anne Arundel and Cecil counties, he said.
People most commonly reported eating deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst and ham, officials said.
Listeria can contaminate food and sicken people who eat it. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. It can be treated with antibiotics, but it is especially dangerous to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
An estimated 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year and about 260 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Boar’s Head recall includes a number of products stamped with an Aug. 10 sell-by date, including bologna, garlic bologna, beef bologna, beef salami, Italian Cappy-style ham and Extra Hot Italian Cappy-style ham. Also included is Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat and Eat, with a sell-by date of Aug. 15.
“We are cooperating fully with government authorities and conducting our own investigation into this incident,” the Sarasota, Florida-based company said in a statement.
Originally Published: July 26, 2024 at 10:43 a.m.