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Did you buy recalled deli meat? Clean your refrigerator

Oct 22, 2024

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Consumers who purchased deli meat from Boar's Head that was part of a recall linked to a deadly listeria outbreak should clean their refrigerators.

The updated recall includes 71 products made between May 10 and July 29 under the Boar's Head and Old Country brand names. It follows an earlier recall of more than 200,000 pounds of sliced deli poultry and meat. The new items include meat intended to be sliced at delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold in stores.

Cross-contamination with the bacteria is a big concern and experts say the cold inside a refrigerator will not kill listeria.

It's the same reason why delis across Stop & Shop and Big Y stores were closed twice in under a week for sanitization.

To be safe, the CDC recommends that customer empty their refrigerators of all the food, shelves and drawers. Wash everything by hand with hot, soapy water and wipe the inside of the appliance with more soap and hot water.

Dry everything with a clean towel and then return the items that were removed.

Finally, clean the counters and wash your hands.

If you believe you ate any recalled products, the CDC says you don't need to call a doctor unless you have symptoms.

Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches, and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems, and during pregnancy.

The Boar's Head recalls are tied to an ongoing outbreak of listeria poisoning that has killed two people and sickened nearly three dozen in 13 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly all of those who fell ill have been hospitalized. Illnesses were reported between late May and mid-July.

The problem was discovered when a liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Further testing showed that the type of bacteria was the same strain causing illnesses in people.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility," the company said on its website. It has also halted production of ready-to-eat foods at the plant.

NEEDHAM, Mass. —