MINNEAPOLIS — Deli counters in Twin Cities grocery stores are back in full swing after a recent scare. Many missed out on a popular brand of deli meats for much of last week after Boar’s Head recalled millions of pounds of deli meats due to a deadly listeria outbreak.
We often hear that E. coli or salmonella can lead to food recalls, but listeria is a bacteria that normally doesn’t get the spotlight.
According to the CDC, seven million pounds of meat has been recalledand 71 Boars Head products are included. Liverwurst was found to be the main source of the illness, but several other meats have since been pulled from the shelves.
The CDC reports that 34 people have been sickened by the products in 13 states, including Minnesota. But the CDC said that number is likely higher, as some people recover without medical attention. Two people have died.
Listeria is a bacterium found in soil, water, and animal feces. People get sick from it by consuming unpasteurized milk, raw produce that was in contaminated soil, or meats that were contaminated after processing.
People at greatest risk of getting sick are pregnant women, newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weak immune systems.
The Minnesota Department of Health explains how the illness caused by this bacteria differs from, for example, salmonella and E. coli.
“When we say people have listeria infection, we’re talking about invasive disease. That means someone has this bacteria in their blood or in their spinal fluid, those kinds of really serious illnesses that you end up in the hospital for. About 80 percent of people end up in the hospital with it,” said Amy Saupe, a senior epidemiologist at MDH.
Listeriosis, the invasive disease Saupe described, can cause fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, confusion, loss of balance and seizures.
What should you do if you have a recall of Boar’s Head products in your home? Step one: throw them away or return them. Step two: clean out your refrigerator. Unlike other bacteria, listeria can easily multiply in a cold environment.
For more information about the outbreak, click here.
Jeff Wagner
