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Listeria in the US to follow in 2024, recalls and outbreaks

Vaseline October 19, 2024

This year, outbreaks of Listeria have emerged across the country, resulting in hundreds of hospitalizations and multiple deaths due to exposure to the pathogen.

From deli meats to peanuts and even mushrooms, officials have announced several major outbreaks and recalls since January. One of the largest is the ongoing outbreak linked to Boar’s Head Deli meat, which has sickened 59 people, including 10 deaths, in 19 states.

Boar’s Head isn’t the only company struggling with the bacteria in the U.S.: Companies like BrucePac and BrightFarms have suffered significant recalls and outbreaks caused by listeria in 2024.

With several listeria-related recalls still happening across the country, here’s the state of play.

The head of the boar

Recall date: July 19
Which products are affected: 7.2 million pounds of liverwurst and other prepared meats
How many people are affected: 59 hospitalized, including 10 deaths
Where the outbreak originated: Jarratt, Virginia
Current status: Jarratt facility closed, permanent discontinuation of liverwurst. Investigation ongoing.

Bruce Pac

Enoki King Mushroom Farm

Recall date: October 15
Which products are affected: 5.3 oz packages of Enoki mushrooms
How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of infection
Where the outbreak originated: Ventura, California
Current status: Ongoing

BrightFarms

Recall date: January 17 and February 8.
Which products are affected: Spinach sold in salads, spinach packages and cheese in salad packages.
How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Current status: Closed

Planters Peanuts

Recall date: May 6
Which products are affected: Two types of Planters products.
How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Information not released by Hormel Foods
Current status: Closed

ANSWERS Pet food

Recall date: September 26
Which products are affected: ANSWERS brand dog food.
How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Fleetwood, Pa
Current status: Ongoing

Deaths due to listeria outbreaks

The only deaths reported this year from listeria outbreaks have come from the large Boar’s Head outbreak, which claimed 10 lives as of September 23, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of listeriosis or listeria poisoning

Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection usually caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially for older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant people.

According to the USDA, symptoms include:

Fever
Muscle pain
Headache
Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Convulsions
Diarrhea
Other gastrointestinal symptoms
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and/or life-threatening infection in newborn babies
Dead

People in higher risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the healthcare provider about eating the contaminated food, the USDA said.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him at X @fern_cerv_.