I was making lunch for my kids last weekend when I saw the news alert on my phone. Another food recall! When I checked what it was about, I nearly dropped the sandwich I was making. Deli meats from a major brand were linked to a deadly outbreak that had spread to multiple states. With 10 people already dead and dozens hospitalized, this wasn’t a small issue. If you have any deli meat in your fridge right now, especially liverwurst, you need to know about this serious risk before you make your next sandwich.
Stay away from Boar’s Head liverwurst right now
The biggest concern right now is Boar’s Head brand liverwurst. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has directly linked this product to a major Listeria outbreak that has sickened 61 people across 19 states. This outbreak isn’t small – it has put 60 people in the hospital and caused 10 deaths as of November 2024. If you shop at delis that carry Boar’s Head products, you should check your refrigerator immediately. The recalled liverwurst was produced at their Jarratt, Virginia facility and has sell-by dates ranging from late July through August 2024.
This outbreak has gotten so serious that Boar’s Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of meat products. That’s not a small recall – it’s one of the biggest meat recalls in recent years. The company even temporarily stopped production at the facility where the contaminated liverwurst was made. The problem is that many people might not realize they have these products or that they should be thrown away. Even if the sell-by date has passed, you should still check your refrigerator for any Boar’s Head products you may have purchased during this time.
The risk extends beyond just liverwurst
While liverwurst is the main culprit in this outbreak, the CDC is warning that other deli meats may be affected too. When people who got sick were interviewed, many mentioned eating different types of sliced meats from deli counters, including turkey, ham, and liverwurst. The scary part is that once Listeria bacteria gets into a deli, it can easily spread from one meat to another. The slicers, counters, and other equipment can transfer the bacteria between products, meaning even meats that weren’t originally contaminated might now carry Listeria.
Think about how deli counters work – the same gloves touch multiple products, the same slicers cut different meats, and products are stored close together. This makes it easy for bacteria to move around. That’s why the CDC recommends staying away from all deli-sliced meats during this outbreak, not just liverwurst. Even if you’re buying a different brand or type of meat, if it’s been sliced at a deli counter, there’s a risk it could have been contaminated through cross-contact with affected products or surfaces.
Pre-packaged deli meats seem safer for now
Here’s some good news if you’re a sandwich lover – pre-packaged deli meats that weren’t sliced at the deli counter appear to be safer. According to the CDC, there’s currently no evidence that factory-sealed, pre-packaged deli meats have made people sick in this outbreak. These products are packaged in controlled environments at manufacturing facilities before they ever reach the grocery store, which means there’s less chance of cross-contamination from deli equipment or surfaces.
If you still want to enjoy deli meat while this outbreak is happening, pre-packaged options might be your safest bet. Look for factory-sealed packages that haven’t been opened or handled at the deli counter. However, you should still check that they’re not part of the Boar’s Head recall, which includes some packaged products. And if you’re in a high-risk group (which we’ll talk about next), even these pre-packaged meats should be heated thoroughly before eating, just to be safe.
Who needs to be most careful with deli meats
While everyone should avoid the recalled meats, some people need to be extra careful with ALL deli meats right now. If you’re pregnant, over 65 years old, or have a weakened immune system, the CDC says you should avoid eating ANY deli meats unless they’re heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until they’re steaming hot. This higher temperature kills the Listeria bacteria that might be present in the meat. For these groups, even a small amount of Listeria can cause serious illness.
Why are these groups at higher risk? Their bodies have a harder time fighting off the infection. For pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or life-threatening infection in newborns. For older adults and people with weakened immune systems, Listeria can lead to severe, sometimes fatal infections. The CDC specifically warns these high-risk groups to be extremely cautious with deli meats, even when there isn’t an active outbreak. If you fall into one of these categories, it might be best to choose other protein sources for your sandwiches until this outbreak is completely resolved.
Signs you might have eaten contaminated meat
Imagine this: you had a deli sandwich a week ago and now you’re feeling sick. Could it be related to the Listeria outbreak? Maybe. Listeria symptoms can start anywhere from a few days to four weeks after eating contaminated food, so connecting your illness to a specific meal can be tricky. The most common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and headaches – which might make you think you just have the flu. But Listeria can also cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in severe cases.
What makes Listeria extra tricky is that symptoms can be mild at first, then suddenly get worse. If you’ve eaten deli meat recently and develop a fever along with muscle aches, it’s worth calling your doctor. Make sure to mention that you ate deli meat and are concerned about Listeria. For pregnant women, symptoms might be mild and feel like a regular stomach bug, but the consequences for the baby can be serious. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about possible Listeria exposure, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
What to do if you have the recalled meat
Found some Boar’s Head products in your fridge that might be part of the recall? Don’t take chances – throw them out right away or return them to the store where you bought them. Even if the meat looks and smells fine, Listeria bacteria is invisible. You can’t tell it’s there just by looking at the food. If you’ve already eaten some of the recalled meat and aren’t feeling sick, don’t panic. Many healthy adults who consume Listeria don’t develop serious symptoms, but you should still watch for signs of illness over the next few weeks.
After you’ve gotten rid of the meat, you need to clean everything it touched. Listeria can survive and grow in refrigerators and on kitchen surfaces for a long time. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds after handling the recalled meat. Then, clean your refrigerator, cutting boards, countertops, and any utensils that may have touched the meat with hot, soapy water. For extra protection, you can sanitize surfaces with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach in one gallon of hot water after washing.
How to safely enjoy sandwiches during the outbreak
If you’re a sandwich lover, you might be wondering what to put between your bread slices while this outbreak continues. The safest option is to avoid deli meats altogether until the CDC declares the outbreak over. But if you really want a deli meat sandwich, there are ways to make it safer. Heat is your friend here. If you must eat deli meat, reheat it until it’s steaming hot (165°F) to kill any Listeria that might be present. You can do this in a microwave, on the stove, or in the oven.
Beyond heating your meat, consider trying some alternatives for your sandwiches. Fresh cooked chicken or turkey that you’ve prepared at home is a safer option than deli meat right now. Hard-boiled eggs, tuna salad, or peanut butter make great sandwich fillings too. If you’re ordering a sandwich at a restaurant, ask for it to be heated thoroughly or choose hot sandwiches like paninis or grilled options where the meat is heated to a high temperature. This doesn’t guarantee safety, but it significantly reduces your risk.
Which states have been hit hardest by the outbreak
This Listeria outbreak has spread across 19 states, but some areas have been hit harder than others. New York has reported the most cases, with 7 people falling ill. Other states with multiple cases include Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Missouri, Virginia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. The outbreak initially affected 12 states but has since expanded as more cases have been identified and linked to the same strain of Listeria.
It’s important to know that the actual number of sick people is likely higher than what’s been reported. Many people with mild symptoms don’t seek medical care or get tested for Listeria, so their cases go uncounted. The CDC warns that this outbreak may not be limited to just the states where cases have been confirmed. Even if your state hasn’t reported any cases, you should still take precautions with deli meats, especially if you’re in a high-risk group. Listeria doesn’t respect state borders, and contaminated products can be shipped nationwide.
The Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats has proven more serious than anyone expected when it first began in July 2024. With 61 people sick, 60 hospitalized, and 10 deaths, it’s become one of the deadliest food safety incidents of the year. While Boar’s Head liverwurst has been identified as the main culprit, all deli-sliced meats carry some risk right now. Your best bet is to choose other sandwich fillings until the outbreak is declared over, or at the very least, heat your deli meats thoroughly before eating them.
