Last year, Boar's Head sold deli meats contaminated with deadly bacteria that were linked to ten fatalities and 60 hospitalizations.
Now, the manufacturer again has slapped a warning on products over another contamination of listeria. The recall is Class I, the highest alert level that is only used when officials fear there is a potential for serious injury or death if the products are consumed.
In a recall notice, the FDA stated Ambriola Company has issued a recall for two cheese products produced under the Boar's Head label.
These included Grated Pecorino Romano products, sold in 6oz containers, and Boar's Head FS Grated Romano Cheese, after tests showed they could contain listeria.
Out of an abundance of caution, Boar's Head said it was also withdrawing all products Ambriola Company produces for the deli-meat giant. This includes pre-cut Pecorino Roman cheese, which is not included in the recall.
There have been no reports of illnesses, hospitalizations or deaths linked to the dairy products to date, the agency said.
All three products were not prepared by Boar's Head. Ambriola Company produces and supplies the cheeses, and they are then marketed under the brand name.
The affected products were sold in Kroger stores in Kentucky and Indiana, but Boar's Head has said it is recalling all Ambriola-made cheeses sold nationwide.
A spokesman for the company said: 'Boar's Head is committed to delivering safe, high-quality foods that consumers can enjoy with confidence.
'Boar's Head took immediate action to halt the purchase of these products from The Ambriola Company, notify retail partners, and ensure that the affected products are being removed from distribution nationally.'
They added: 'This was an isolated incident related to The Ambriola Company (a third-party manufacturer). No other Boar's Head products manufactured at any other facility are impacted in this recall.'
The recalled Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese has a UPC of 042421-05858, an item code of 858 and sell-by dates of November 21, 2025, to March 12, 2026.
The FS grated cheese has a UPC of 042421-15119 and the same sell-by dates.
The pre-cut cheese product has an item code of 15160 and a UPC of 042421-15160. Its sell-by dates are November 25, 2025, to May 11, 2026.
Officials fear that many of the cheeses could be lurking in people's refrigerators. They are urging individuals to throw the dairy products out immediately or return them to stores for a refund.
It was not clear how many were in the recall or how the products first became contaminated with listeria.
But, in previous cases, cheeses have become contaminated after contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces.
Listeria can survive and multiply in deli counters because it thrives at temperatures as low as 31 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). Deli counters tend to be around 41.5F (5C) or colder.
Listeria infects about 1,250 people in the US every year, estimates suggest.
It is a serious infection, with an estimated 1,000 patients hospitalized and about 170 dying from the disease every year.
It is a particularly serious infection among children under five and older adults, who have weaker immune systems and are less able to fight off the infection.
It is also serious for pregnant women, with a listeria infection raising the risk of them suffering from a stillbirth or miscarriage.
Symptoms start within 24 hours of infection and, in healthy individuals, typically last for one to three days. Warning signs include fever, flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches or fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
In serious cases, however, the bacteria can spread into the bloodstream and cause the life-threatening complication sepsis.
Doctors typically treat such infections with antibiotics.
In a similar case in July last year, Boar's Head recalled seven million pounds of deli meat also due to potential listeria contamination.
The contamination was linked to its liverwurst, which officials feared had then spread listeria to 70 other products sold by the brand.
The FDA said that a total of 61 people were sickened, while 60 were hospitalized and 10 died after eating meat linked to the recall.
Cases were reported across 19 states. New York, with 19 infections, and Maryland, with eight, recorded the most sicknesses linked to the outbreak.
An inspection linked the outbreak to a Boar's Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia, where inspectors found meat and fat residue on equipment and walls, condensation dripping onto meats and food preparation surfaces and said employees were not following proper hygiene regulations.
The plant was closed indefinitely in September last year for sanitation. But in August, Boar's Head revealed plans to reopen the plant. It is still working with the USDA on a plan that would allow it to start using the plant again.
No comments:
Post a Comment