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U.S. Listeria Tracking in 2024, Recalls and Outbreaks

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U.S. Listeria Tracking in 2024, Recalls and Outbreaks

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

From deli meats to peanuts to mushrooms, authorities 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 in 19 states, including 10 deaths.

Boar's Head is not the only company struggling with the bacteria in the USA: companies such as BrucePac and BrightFarms, among others, experienced significant recalls and Listeria outbreaks in 2024.

With various listeria-related recalls still taking place across the country, here's where things stand.

Boar head

  • Recall date: July 19th
  • Which products were affected: 7.2 million pounds of liverwurst and other ready-to-eat sausage products
  • How many people were affected: 59 were hospitalized, including 10 dead
  • Where the outbreak originated: Jarratt, Virginia
  • Current status: Closure of the Jarratt facility, permanent discontinuation of liver sausage. Investigations are ongoing.

BrucePac

Enoki King Mushroom Farm

  • Recall date: Oct 15
  • Which products were affected: 5.3-ounce packages Enoki mushrooms
  • How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of infection
  • Where the outbreak originated: Ventura, California
  • Current status: Ongoing

BrightFarms

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

Peanut planters

  • Recall date: May 6th
  • Which products were affected: Two varieties of Planters products.
  • How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
  • Where the outbreak originated: Information not published by Hormel Foods
  • Current status: Closed

ANSWER Pet food

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

Deaths linked to listeria outbreaks

The only deaths reported from listeria outbreaks this year were from the large Boar's Head outbreak, which killed 10 people as of September 23, according to the CDC.

Listeriosis or listeria poisoning symptoms

Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a food-borne bacterial infection most commonly 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
  • cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Other gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and/or life-threatening infection of newborns
  • Death

People in higher risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention and inform health care providers about consuming contaminated food, the USDA said.

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

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