Check your fridge: CDC warns against eating recalled deli meats as deadly listeria outbreak spreads
CNN
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reminding the public to avoid consuming recalled deli meats due to a listeria outbreak that has grown to become the nation’s largest since 2011.
In late July, Boar’s Head issued a recall of more than 7.2 million pounds of its ready-to-eat liverwurst and other deli meats due to concerns about possible listeria contamination, but the CDC says at least a dozen additional cases of listeriosis have been reported in recent weeks.
In total, 57 people have been hospitalized in 18 states and nine people have died. According to the CDC, this listeriosis outbreak is now the largest since the one linked to cantaloupe in 2011.
The agency said the actual number of illnesses is likely higher than reported because some people may have had a milder case and were not tested for listeriosis. There is also a lag between when an illness occurs and when scientists can link it to an ongoing investigation.
The CDC advises consumers to check their kitchen for recalled products, as they may have a long shelf life. Look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on labels. Some products have expiration dates as late as October 2024.
The recalled products include liverwurst, ham, bologna, sausages and roasted bacon. Most of the people who became ill reported eating turkey or liverwurst, and some reported eating ham.
However, Boar’s Head says products currently available in the deli section are not subject to the recall.
Listeria is hardy and can linger on surfaces like countertops and meat slicers, so you don’t have to eat a contaminated product to get sick. It can spread easily in delis, from equipment to surfaces, hands, and food, according to the CDC. Refrigeration doesn’t kill the bacteria, but heat can.
Pregnant people, people aged 65 and over, and people with weakened immune systems are advised to avoid eating deli meats unless they have been heated until steaming or reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
If you’ve eaten sliced deli meat at home, clean the refrigerator and any containers or surfaces that may have come into contact with it, and watch for symptoms of listeriosis, which can take up to 10 weeks to develop.
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Listeria bacteria cause listeriosis, the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. An infection can also cause a stiff neck, headache, confusion, or seizures.
Anyone who develops symptoms of listeriosis should seek medical attention immediately.
The timeline of this outbreak spans several months, the CDC said, since the first person became ill in late May. The investigation is ongoing.
The CDC encourages people with listeria to work with local public health officials, who may contact them to find out what they ate in the past month and ask for receipts or leftover food to help identify the cause of the outbreak.
