Jarratt, VA – Boars Head Provisions Company has recalled over 200,000 pounds of deli meat and liverwurst due to Listeria contamination.  Thirty-three people have been hospitalized and two people have died as a result of the contamination.

“The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation of Listeria monocytogenes infections. Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product sample is related to the outbreak.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) there is a multi-state investigation into the Listeria contamination.  The deli meat and liverwurst were processed at the same plant and may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes contaminated meats may not smell or taste different or spoiled but can be life threatening.

Symptoms of Listeria contamination can include the following: vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. “Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.”

Deli meat products subject to recall:

• 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 6-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
• 5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT” with sell by date “AUG 15” on the product packaging.
• 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

People are being told not to eat any deli meat or liverwurst with sell by date of August 10.

The 34 confirmed people affected in the outbreak live in 13 different states across the U.S. These states include:

• Georgia
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Wisconsin