NEW YORK – U.S. health officials on Friday announced a recall of some liver sausages and other canned meats from Boar’s Head as part of their investigation into the Listeria outbreak Which resulted in the injury of nearly thirty people and the death of two people.
Boar’s Head Provisions Co. has recalled its liver sausage because it may be contaminated with listeria bacteria, The US Department of Agriculture said.
The company is also recalling additional types of cold cuts that were produced on the same line and on the same day, such as liver sausage.
A sample of beef liver sausage from a Maryland store tested positive for listeria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.
The sample was taken from an unopened package and was collected by the Maryland Department of Health as part of a listeria outbreak investigation.
Health officials said tests were underway to determine whether the liver sample was linked to the pandemic.
The outbreak was first reported last week. By Thursday, 34 people had fallen ill, all but one of whom had been hospitalized.
Two people died.
Officials said people most often reported eating turkey, liver sausage and ham.
Listeria can contaminate food and make people who eat it sick.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea.
It can be treated with antibiotics, but it is especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
An estimated 1,600 people get food poisoning from listeria each year and about 260 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Boar’s Head product recall includes a number of products with a sell-by date of Aug. 10, including bologna, garlic bologna, beef bologna, beef salami, Cappi-style Italian ham and Cappi-style extra-hot Italian ham.
The offer also includes a Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat and Eat meal, with a sale date of August 15.
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