Recall of Boar’s Head delicatessen meat announced amid investigation into listeria outbreak

US health authorities announced on Friday a recall of some liver sausages and sausage products from Boar’s Head because they contain a Listeria outbreak which sickened nearly three dozen people and caused two deaths.

Boar’s Head Provisions Co. has recalled its liver sausage because it may be contaminated with Listeria bacteria, US Department of Agriculture said. The company is also recalling cold cuts that were made at a Virginia plant on the same line and on the same day as the liver sausage and shipped nationwide.

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said a sample of Boar’s Head liver sausage from a Maryland store tested positive for listeria. The sample came from an unopened package collected by health officials as part of the listeria outbreak investigation.

Tests are underway to determine whether the liver sausage sample is linked to the outbreak, health officials said.

The company did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The listeria outbreak was first reported last week. Since late May, 34 people in 13 states have become ill, with all but one requiring hospitalization. Two people have died – in Illinois and New Jersey. It can take weeks for symptoms to appear, so there could be more cases, officials said.

People most commonly reported eating turkey slices, liver sausage and ham from the deli section, officials said.

Listeria can contaminate food and make people who eat it sick. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but is especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1,600 people become ill from Listeria food poisoning each year and about 260 die.

The Boar’s Head recall of over 200,000 pounds involves meat cut at the deli counter, not prepackaged meat. It includes a number of multi-pound packages with a best-by date of August 10, including mortadella, garlic mortadella, beef mortadella, beef salami, Cappy Italian-style prosciutto and Cappy Italian-style extra-spicy prosciutto. Also included is “Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat and Eat,” which has a best-by date of August 15.

Consumers who may still have the recalled meat should not eat it and should thoroughly clean their refrigerators to prevent contamination of other foods, authorities advised.

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