
Listeria Outbreak Hits Major Retailers: What You Need to Know
In a troubling development, a major listeria outbreak has prompted a massive recall of Boar's Head deli meats, impacting a wide array of grocery stores across the country. The outbreak, which has resulted in nearly 60 hospitalizations and claimed nine lives, has affected an astonishing 7 million pounds of cold cuts. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued an extensive 825-page document detailing the affected stores, providing crucial information for consumers.
Among the stores impacted are major national and regional chains such as Stop & Shop, Albertsons, Target, Safeway, Vons, Publix, and Kroger. The recall encompasses a broad range of locations, from local markets to large supermarket chains. In particular, Stop & Shop, which operates about 400 stores throughout the Northeast, has been notably affected. The store has taken significant measures to address the situation, including shutting down its deli counters twice for deep cleaning and sanitation.
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For those in California, the Department of Public Health has compiled a 25-page list of affected grocery stores to help residents check if they might have purchased the contaminated products. This meticulous approach is essential given the severity of the outbreak. The CDC has also advised consumers to carefully check their homes for any recalled Boar's Head products, as listeria can persist on surfaces and has a lengthy incubation period—up to 10 weeks before symptoms appear.
Boar's Head has responded by halting operations at the Virginia plant where the contaminated meat was processed. The company has pledged that no further products will be released until the plant meets the highest safety and quality standards. This outbreak is being closely scrutinized, marking the largest listeriosis incident since the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Consumers are urged to look for specific labels on the products to identify whether they are part of the recall. Products affected by this outbreak can be identified by the USDA inspection mark "EST. 12612" or "P-12612" and may have sell-by dates extending into October 2024.
As this situation unfolds, health officials and food safety experts continue to work diligently to manage the outbreak and prevent further illness. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that all affected products are removed from store shelves and that consumers are well-informed about the risks associated with the recalled deli meats.
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