CDC reminds people to avoid eating recalled deli meats

INDIANA – The Centers for Disease Control reminds the public to avoid eating recalled deli meats amid a listeria outbreak that has expanded to become the nation’s largest since 2011.

Boar’s Head issued a recall in late July for more than 7.2 million pounds of its ready-to-eat liverwurst and some other deli meat products due to concerns about potential listeria contamination. Still, the CDC says at least a dozen more listeriosis cases have been reported recently, including in Indiana. A total of 57 people have been hospitalized in 18 states, and nine people have died.

Listeria bacteria causes listeriosis, the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. An infection can also cause a stiff neck, headache, confusion, or seizures.

The recalled products include liverwurst, ham, bologna, sausage, and roasted bacon. Most people who became sick reported eating turkey or liverwurst, and some reported eating ham.