Listeria Outbreak: Boar's Head Recalls 200,000 Pounds of Deli Meat

The U.S. food manufacturer Boar's Head Products announced on Friday the recall of more than 200,000 pounds of deli meat, including all currently available liverwurst products on the market. This action follows a listeria outbreak that has so far resulted in two deaths and approximately three dozen illnesses in the United States. The decision to withdraw the affected products from the market came after the publication of a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.). This report indicated that listeria bacteria were detected in an unopened package of Boar's Head liverwurst from a store in Maryland. To prevent the potential further spread of the disease, Boar's Head has decided to recall not only the affected liverwurst but also various other types of meat produced on the same day, June 27, and on the same production line. A spokesperson for Boar's Head commented: "We are fully cooperating with government authorities and conducting our own investigation into this incident. As a precaution, we have decided to voluntarily recall additional products." The recalled products include multi-pound loaves of "Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA" with sell-by dates from July 25 to August 30. Also affected are other fresh department meats with a sell-by date of August 10, including Virginia Ham, Italian Cappy Ham, Extra Hot Italian Cappy Ham, Pork & Beef Bologna, Beef Salami, Beef Bologna, and Garlic Bologna. Steakhouse Roasted Slab Bacon with a sell-by date of August 15 has also been recalled. The U.S.D.A. noted that the affected products were distributed nationwide to retail stores.