Boar’s Head Deli Meat Recall: The 2024 Listeria Outbreak Explained
A comprehensive guide to the Boar’s Head deli meat recall of 2024, the nationwide Listeria outbreak, and how to protect yourself and your family.
In July 2024, a major Boar’s Head deli meat recall shocked consumers across the United States and beyond. Federal and state agencies responded after the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes in select deli meats, triggering a weeks-long investigation and the removal of millions of pounds of product from shelves nationwide. With 10 deaths and scores hospitalized, the impact of the 2024 Listeria outbreak went far beyond store counters and delis, raising new questions about food safety, industry standards, and consumer protection.
What Prompted the 2024 Boar’s Head Recall?
On July 26, 2024, the Maryland Department of Health detected Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst bought from a deli. The test result led to an immediate recall, which was dramatically expanded on July 30, covering over 7 million pounds of various ready-to-eat products manufactured at Boar’s Head’s Jarratt, Virginia, plant.
- Listeria was confirmed in unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst by both Maryland and New York State health labs.
- Initial recall: July 26, 2024 (Strassburger Brand Liverwurst and 8 varieties of bacon, bologna, ham, and salami produced on June 27)
- Full-scale recall: July 30, 2024 (Expanded to 71 products made between May 10 and July 29, 2024)
- Affected brands: Boar’s Head and Old Country
- Sell-by dates impacted: July 29, 2024, through October 17, 2024
Scope of the Recall: Which Products Are Affected?
The recall covered a vast array of deli meats, some packaged and some intended for slicing at retail delis. In total, 71 different products under the Boar’s Head and Old Country labels were affected, with distribution extending across the U.S. and export destinations such as Mexico, Panama, the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic.
| Product Name | Type | Brand | Sell-By Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverwurst Pâté | Sliced/Packaged | Boar’s Head/Old Country | 29-JUL-2024 to 17-OCT-2024 |
| Black Forest Ham | Sliced/Packaged | Boar’s Head | 29-JUL-2024 to 17-OCT-2024 |
| Beef Bologna | Sliced/Packaged | Boar’s Head | 29-JUL-2024 to 17-OCT-2024 |
| Canadian Bacon | Packaged | Boar’s Head/Old Country | 29-JUL-2024 to 17-OCT-2024 |
| Head Cheese | Packaged | Boar’s Head/Old Country | 29-JUL-2024 to 17-OCT-2024 |
For a comprehensive list of all 71 recalled products, consumers are advised to check official FDA, USDA, and state department sites.
Distribution and Plant Details
- Manufactured at the Jarratt, Virginia, facility (Establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark)
- Distributed in retail stores, delis, and exported to select countries
- Plant history: 69 regulatory violations between August 2023-August 2024, including presence of mold, insects, and unsanitary conditions
Listeria Monocytogenes: Health Risks and Illnesses
Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous bacterium that causes listeriosis, an illness most hazardous for pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and in severe cases, meningitis or septicemia.
- At least 10 deaths and 60 hospitalizations were confirmed as part of the 2024 outbreak.
- Symptoms can appear up to two months after consuming contaminated food.
What others are reading
Consumers who develop symptoms consistent with listeriosis are strongly advised to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they suspect they have eaten contaminated products.
Consumer Guidance: What Should You Do?
If you believe you may have purchased or consumed affected Boar’s Head deli meat, follow these steps:
- Discard or return any affected products: Check the expanded recall list and sell-by dates carefully
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize your refrigerator, cutting boards, utensils, and countertops. Listeria can survive and spread on surfaces.
- Deli owners should:
- Discard any opened meats and cheeses
- Sanitize food and non-food surfaces
- Disassemble and thoroughly clean deli meat slicers
- Follow USDA-FSIS Best Practices Guidance for delis and FDA slicer safety recommendations
- If feeling ill, contact your doctor right away.
Expert Analysis: How Did Contamination Occur?
Food safety experts criticized both Boar’s Head and federal regulators for lapses in plant management. Inspection reports from the Jarratt site described unsanitary conditions:
- Observed black mold, mildew, insects
- Blood pooling on the floor and foul odors
- Regulatory violations spanned more than a year leading up to the recall
Industry experts noted that Boar’s Head’s approach of relying heavily on sanitation and Listeria testing at Jarratt was insufficient compared to more advanced procedures. For instance:
- Boar’s Head’s Petersburg, VA plant uses methods such as cooking hams in their retail packaging to minimize exposure and risk
- Experts urged that facilities must adopt comprehensive food safety management and not rely exclusively on surface cleaning or standard product testing
Regulatory Oversight and Lessons Learned
The outbreak and subsequent recall highlighted gaps in regulatory oversight. Food safety experts and consumer advocates raised concerns about why regulators permitted the Jarratt facility to remain open despite chronic violations.
- Barbara Kowalcyk, director of food safety at George Washington University, described conditions at the facility as “shocking” and called for greater regulatory vigilance
- Calls emerged for stricter enforcement, regular audits, and revising standards to ensure rapid response to contamination
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Boar’s Head products are affected by the recall?
In total, 71 deli meat products under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brands are affected, including liverwurst pâté, beef bologna, black forest ham, bacon, salami, Canadian bacon, and head cheese. Products were made between May 10 and July 29, 2024, with sell-by dates from July 29 to October 17, 2024.
Why is Listeria contamination dangerous?
Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe, sometimes fatal infections. Pregnant women, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk. Symptoms may occur weeks after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea.
What should consumers and deli owners do?
- Check your fridge and discard or return recalled deli meats
- Clean and sanitize kitchen surfaces and utensils
- Deli owners should follow federal guidelines for sanitation and meat slicer maintenance
How many people were affected?
The 2024 listeriosis outbreak led to at least 10 deaths and 60 hospitalizations in the United States, with illnesses peaking between July and November.
How can future outbreaks be prevented?
- Improved sanitation and facility management
- Adoption of advanced food processing techniques, such as cooking products in final packaging
- Routine regulatory inspections and rapid response protocols
Summary Table: Key Facts of the 2024 Boar’s Head Listeria Recall
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Initial Recall | July 26, 2024 |
| Date of Expanded Recall | July 30, 2024 |
| Total Amount Recalled | 7+ million pounds |
| Affected Brands | Boar’s Head, Old Country |
| Products Affected | 71 varieties of deli meat (see above) |
| Sickened/Deaths | 60 hospitalized, 10 deaths |
Conclusion: Protecting Yourself and Your Community
The Boar’s Head deli meat recall of 2024 is a warning for consumers, stores, and regulators alike. Vigilant food safety practices, transparent industry standards, and robust oversight are essential to prevent future outbreaks. When in doubt, check recall notices, sanitize food preparation areas, and stay informed about best practices for food safety.
Additional Resources and References
- USDA Food Safety Inspection Service: For the most recent recall updates
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Listeria Outbreak Investigation: For health impact details
- State Health Department websites (check Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, New York, and others)
Quick Tips for Consumers
- Always check sell-by dates against recall lists
- Discard unopened products if in doubt
- Sanitize your refrigerator and all kitchen surfaces regularly
- If you experience symptoms, consult your doctor promptly
References
- https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/-/media/Project/Websites/mdard/documents/food-dairy/recalls/Expanded-Recall-of-Boars-Head-Deli-Meats-Due-to-Potential-Listeria-Contamination.pdf?rev=b41df3ce8d684a1890b3f12435ff2b53&hash=BF8711EC9A357C3B2F282E2AC22A1BE2
- https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/food-safety-program/food-recalls/7-30-24-boars-head-provisions
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_listeriosis_outbreak
- https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/investigation.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html
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