Listeria cases linked to deli meat continue to rise in NY. What's been recalled?

Emily Barnes, New York State Team

New Yorkers should check their refrigerators as listeria cases linked to deli meats continue to rise throughout the state and a number of products have been recalled.

Twelve cases have now been reported in New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is more than any other state. As of July 26, 34 people have reported listeria infections associated with the outbreak strain in 13 different states. Thirty-three people have been hospitalized and two deaths have been reported — one in Illinois and one in New Jersey.

A recall of multiple Boar's Head products has also been initiated after listeria was found in a sample taken from an unopened package of Boar's Head liverwurst by the Maryland Department of Health and the Baltimore City Health Department as part of the outbreak investigation, the USDA says. Further testing is underway to see if it's the same strain as the one currently making people sick.

Here's what to know.

Which products have been recalled?

Virginia-based Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc. recalled about 207,528 pounds of products on July 26 as a result of the discovery.

“At Boar’s Head, the health and safety of our customers is our top priority. As soon as a Listeria adulteration was confirmed in our Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, we immediately and voluntarily recalled the product," a company spokesperson said in a written statement Monday. "We are committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards. We are cooperating fully with government authorities and conducting our own investigation into this incident.”

Here's which products are affected:

Boar's Head Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst products

"Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia" products produced between June 11 and July 17 have been recalled by the company. The 5-lb. loaves in plastic casing or various weight packages sliced in retail delis have a 44-day shelf life with sell by dates ranging from July 25 to Aug. 30.

Other Boar's Head deli meat products

Many types and sizes of Boar's Head deli meat products have been recalled with sell-by dates of Aug. 10 or Aug. 15 and all have EST. 12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Here's which products are included in the recall:

  • Virginia Ham Old Fashioned Ham

  • Italian Cappy Style Ham

  • Bologna

  • Beef Salami

  • Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat & Eat

  • Garlic Bologna

  • Beef Bologna

More food recalls in NY: Listeria produce recall expands to NY stores. See the affected stores

What symptoms you should look out for

Listeria symptoms can vary but the bacteria is most likely to sicken people who are pregnant and newborns, adults aged 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Symptoms can include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, diarrhea and vomiting.

What to do if you've purchased the recalled products

Those who are generally healthy and not at higher risk of serious infection should not eat the recalled meats and throw them away or contact stores about returns, the CDC says. You should also clean your refrigerator, containers and any surfaces that may have touched the recalled meats.

If you're pregnant, 65 or older or have a weakened immune system, here's what you should do:

  • Do not eat recalled deli meats. Throw them away or contact stores about returns.

  • Do not eat any other deli meats you get sliced at deli counters, unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot.

  • Clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.

  • Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:

    • People who are not pregnant usually have a fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

    • Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. However, listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth and cause serious illness or death in newborns.

If you have any questions, you can call Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY listeria outbreak tied to deli meat: What's been recalled

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