9 Dead, Many More Sickened by Contaminated Deli Meat – Americans Urged to Check Their Fridges
A listeria outbreak has resulted in nine deaths, with cases continuing to rise following a significant recall of deli meat products linked to the outbreak. The recall, issued by Boar’s Head in late July, involved over 7.2 million pounds of ready-to-eat deli meats, including items like liverwurst, ham, and turkey, due to contamination concerns.
The CDC reported that, since an update on August 8, six additional deaths have been confirmed, bringing the total to nine. A total of 57 infections have been documented across 18 states since the outbreak began in May. Investigations traced the source to a Boar’s Head processing facility in Virginia, where health inspections revealed unsanitary conditions, including mold and poor hygiene practices.
Consumers are advised to dispose of any recalled products, as contamination can persist even in refrigerated environments. Given that not all affected individuals seek medical care, the CDC believes the true number of illnesses is likely higher than reported.
Nine people have died from a listeria outbreak in which cases are rising weeks after a recall of deli meat linked to the outbreak.
In late July, Boar’s Head issued a recall for more than 7.2 million pounds of ready-to-eat deli meat products amid concerns of listeria contamination, according to CNN.
The recall list covers dozens of products including liverwurst, ham, bologna, sausage and turkey.
The problem was discovered when a Boar’s Head liverwurst sample from Maryland showed the same type of listeria bacteria that was making people sick, according to the New York Post.
In a Wednesday update, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that since its Aug. 8 bulletin on the outbreak, six more people have died due to listeria, raising the total to nine dead.
Through Tuesday, 57 people in 18 states have been infected in an outbreak that began in May.
The CDC said two deaths took place in South Carolina and one each in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, and New York.
The CDC warned that listeria can remain on surfaces such as meat slicers even when refrigerated.
In urging consumers to throw out any recalled products, the CDC noted that some will have sell-by dates that stretch into October.
The CDC said that it expects this outbreak has led to far more people becoming ill than the number reported because many people who do not receive medical care are never counted.
In voicing caution about eating deli meats, the CDC noted that of 44 people interviewed, 19 recalled buying Boar’s Head brand while 39 said they ate meats sliced at a deli.
According to CBS, federal investigators have linked conditions at a Boar’s Head processing plant in Jarratt, Virginia, to the recall.
CBS reported that samples of meat processed at the facility taken from multiple states contained the same bacteria causing the outbreak.
A July inspection from the Department of Agriculture reported there was mold and mildew near sinks for the workers who process meat that is marketed as ready to eat.
“A black mold like substance was seen throughout the room at the wall/concrete junction. As well as some caulking around brick/metal,” a January inspection said, noting some spots were “as large as a quarter.”
Inspectors noted a puddle had “a green algal growth” within it and also cited condensation “dripping over product being held.”
In February, an inspector reported that “ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor” were found and that a “rancid smell” permeated a cooler at the plant.
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