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Listeria Deli Meat Outbreak: How Older Adults Can Stay Safe as Deaths Grow

An additional death and more infections have been reported

By

Aaron Kassraie, Rachel Nania and Peter Urban,

 
AARP
Comments
Published July 22, 2024
/ Updated September 26, 2024
a deli counter filled with various types of lunch meat
Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright / Alamy Stock Photo

U.S. health officials urge consumers to check their homes for any recalled Boar’s Head deli meats as the country faces its largest listeria outbreak in more than a decade.

Since the deli meat plant in Jarratt, Virginia, closed, an additional death and two more hospitalizations have been reported. In total, at least 59 people have been hospitalized and 10 have died from the foodborne bacteria, which is known to trigger severe gastrointestinal illness and flu-like symptoms.

Adults 65 and older and those with a weakened immune system are among the populations at greatest risk for getting seriously sick if infected with listeria. Here’s what you need to know about listeria, including the steps you can take to protect yourself during the outbreak. 

4 things to know about listeria

1. Listeria can contaminate many foods

Health experts refer to listeria as a “hardy germ.” It can live on surfaces, including meat slicers and equipment in food processing facilities. The bacteria can contaminate a wide range of foods, even in cool environments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Listeria risk in older adults

  • Each year, an estimated 1,600 people get sick from listeria in the U.S.
  • More than half of all listeria infections occur in adults 65 and older.
  • People with a weakened immune system make up 75 percent of listeria infections.
  • 1 in 6 older adults with a listeria infection die. 

Source: CDC

It “can thrive in various conditions, including refrigerated temperatures,” says Darin Detwiler, an associate professor at Northeastern University and a former federal food safety adviser.

People who eat contaminated foods can get infected with the bacteria. A listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, the CDC says.

Recent foods linked to listeria include sprouts, melons, deli meats and prepared meats, soft cheeses and raw milk, paté and cold-smoked fish.

2. Older adults are at increased risk for hospitalization

Anyone can get infected with the bacteria, but some people are at greater risk for serious complications, including adults 65 and older.

That’s because as you get older, your “immune system has a harder time recognizing and getting rid of harmful germs, including listeria,” the CDC says. “You also have less stomach acid, which can help kill germs.”

Almost all older adults who get a listeria infection need to be hospitalized, and typically 1 in 6 who are infected die from the illness, the CDC says.  

Other populations at greater risk for serious illness include people who are pregnant, newborns and people with weakened immune systems.

Listeria and deli meats

Listeria can easily spread through:

  • Shared equipment: Slicers and counters used for multiple products can cross-contaminate items if not properly cleaned and sanitized between uses.
  • Biofilms: Listeria can form biofilms on surfaces, making it difficult to eliminate through regular cleaning.
  • Refrigeration: Listeria can survive and even grow at refrigeration temperatures, increasing the risk of cross contamination.

Because of these factors, even meats that are initially safe can become contaminated if they come into contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, Northeastern University’s Detwiler says.

3. Symptoms can be wide-ranging

Symptoms of an infection can vary and typically start within two weeks of eating contaminated food. That said, they can start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after.

People who are not pregnant may experience:  

  • Fever
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Loss of balance
  • Seizures

Listeria can cause intestinal illness with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.

The CDC urges people to talk to their health care provider if they ate possibly contaminated food and experience symptoms. “This step is especially important if you are pregnant, are 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system,” the CDC says.

If you are diagnosed with an infection, work with your local or state health officials to provide details about what you ate in the month before getting sick.

4. You can take steps to protect yourself

The good news is there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting infected.   

Choose safer foods. People at high risk of severe illness should choose safer food options, the CDC says, avoiding unpasteurized soft cheeses, such as queso fresco and brie, and cold cheese sliced at the deli. Instead, opt for hard cheeses, such as cheddar and parmesan.

If you do eat deli or soft cheeses, make sure you heat it first to 165°F or until steaming hot. You should also heat deli meats, cold cuts and hot dogs before eating them, and avoid coleslaw and potato salad.  

Some other advice: Avoid paté, refrigerated smoked fish and raw sprouts. Eat melon only after it’s just been cut, and do not eat raw (unpasteurized) dairy products.

Clean potentially contaminated surfaces. It’s important to clean your refrigerator, food containers and other surfaces that may have touched affected deli meats or other potentially contaminated foods. The CDC recommends you: 

  1. Empty your refrigerator: Remove all items, including shelves and drawers.
  2. Clean thoroughly: Wash shelves, drawers and the interior with hot, soapy water. Rinse with clean water, and dry with a towel.
  3. Sanitize: For extra protection, you can sanitize with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water after cleaning with soap.
  4. Clean containers: Wash any containers that may have stored contaminated meat.
  5. Refrigerate promptly: Return food to the refrigerator within two hours to prevent the growth of other pathogens.

Pay attention to recalls. Be sure to throw away any recalled products. [See below for more information on the deli meat products recalled from the current outbreak.]

What to know about the outbreak

The multistate outbreak of listeria has been responsible for 10 deaths and has hospitalized 59 people across 19 states, according to the CDC.

Cases have been confirmed in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. The median age of those sickened in the outbreak is 77.

The number of sick people may be higher than what has been reported, because it may take three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak and because some people recover without medical care.

Recalled Boar’s Head and Old Country Deli meats

The CDC reiterated that consumers should check their homes for recalled Boar’s Head products, as they can have a long shelf life. Look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection on the labels. Some products have sell-by dates into October 2024.

The following Boar’s Head brand products are recalled:

  • Virginia Ham Whole with sell-by dates ranging from July 31 to Sept. 9
  • Fiber Cappy Ham Half sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 9
  • Hot Butt Cappy Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 9
  • Gourmet Pepper Ham Half sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 5
  • Sweet Slice Ham Whole sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 10
  • Sweet Slice Ham Half sell-by dates of July 29 to Sept. 13
  • Natural Casing Cappy Ham Half sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 8
  • Tavern Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 11
  • Extra Hot Cappy Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 9
  • Rosemary Sundried Tomato Ham sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 10
  • Sweet Slice Ham Baby Half sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 17
  • Head Cheese sell-by dates of Aug. 2 to Sept. 9
  • Olive Loaf sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 6
  • Pickle & Pepper Loaf sell-by dates of July 29 to Sept. 9
  • Liverwurst Paté 8 oz sell-by dates of Aug. 2 to Sept. 12
  • Bologna Thin Half July 31 to Sept. 9
  • Bologna Thick Half sell-by dates of Aug. 2 to Sept. 9
  • Beef Salami sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 9
  • Natural Casing Pork & Beef Frankfurters Giant sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 12
  • Steakhouse Slab Bacon sell-by dates of July 29 to Sept. 14
  • Natural Casing Beef Franks sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 11
  • Canadian Style Bacon sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 9
  • All Natural Traditional Ham sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 6
  • All Natural Applewood Smoked Ham sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 6
  • Garlic Bologna sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 5
  • Lower Sodium Bologna sell-by dates of Aug. 2 to Sept. 6
  • Beef Bologna sell-by dates of July 29 to Sept. 9
  • Spiced Ham Square Half sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 6
  • Hot Smoked Sausage 1 lb sell-by dates of Aug. 1 to Sept. 14
  • Skinless Pork & Beef Franks 8/1 1 lb sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 11
  • Beef Knockwurst 1 lb sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 14
  • Skinless Beef Frankfurters 4/1 8” sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 13
  • Cocktail Frankfurters 12 oz sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 11
  • Virginia Ham Half sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 6
  • Skinless Pork & Beef Frankfurters 4/1 2.5 lb sell-by dates of Aug. 1 to Sept. 12
  • SmokeMaster Beechwood Smoked Black Forest Ham Whole sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 11
  • SmokeMaster Beechwood Smoked Black Forest Ham Half sell-by dates of Aug. 1 to Sept. 8
  • Sweet Slice Ham Service Case sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 13
  • Peppenero Garlic Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 8
  • Roasted Pork sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 5
  • BourbonRidge Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 11
  • Food Service Porchetta-Roasted Seasoned Pork sell-by dates of Aug. 1 to Aug. 29
  • Tavern Ham-Whole sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 11
  • Maple Roast Pork Loin sell-by dates of July 31 to Aug. 25
  • Hickory Smoked Roast Uncured Ham sell-by dates of Aug. 2 to Sept. 11
  • Food Service Hickory Smoked Uncured Ham sell-by dates of Aug. 4 to Sept. 11
  • Brown Sugar & Spice Delight Off the Bone Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 9
  • Skinless Beef Frankfurters 6/1 sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 12
  • Skinless Beef Franks 12 oz sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 14
  • Kielbasa 16 oz sell-by dates of Aug. 2 to Sept. 15
  • Natural Casing Beef Franks 8/1 14 oz sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 15
  • Natural Casing Pork & Beef Frankfurters 8/1 14 oz sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 15
  • Andouille Chicken Sausage sell-by dates of July 29 to Oct. 17
  • Bratwurst 1 lb sell-by dates of July 29 to Oct. 17
  • Strassburger Brand Liverwurst with sell-by dates ranging July 25 to Aug. 30
  • Virginia Ham Old Fashioned Ham with a sell-by date of Aug. 10
  • Italian Cappy Style Ham with a sell-by date of Aug. 10
  • Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham with a sell-by date of Aug. 10
  • Bologna with a sell-by date of Aug. 10
  • Head Beef Salami with a sell-by date of Aug. 10
  • Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat and Eat with a sell-by date of Aug. 15
  • Garlic Bologna with a sell-by date of Aug. 10
  • Beef Bologna with a sell-by date of Aug. 10

The following Old Country OC brand products are recalled:

  • Cappy Ham Fiber sell-by dates of Aug. 5 to Sept. 1
  • Hot Butt Cappy-Fiber sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 6
  • Gourmet Pepper Ham sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 5
  • Black Forest Ham 1/2 sell-by dates of Aug. 7 to Sept. 8
  • Swt Slice Smoked Ham 1/2 sell-by dates of July 29 to Sept. 6
  • Cappy Brand Ham Nc 1/2 sell-by dates of Aug. 4 to Sept. 5
  • Tavern Ham sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 8
  • Rosemary/Tomato Ham sell-by dates of July 29 to Aug. 26
  • Sweet Slice Ham Baby 1/2 sell-by date Sept. 3
  • All Natural Uncured Ham sell-by dates of Aug. 4 to Sept. 6
  • Canadian Style Bacon Jr sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 4
  • All Natural Uncured Smoked Ham sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 6
  • Habanero Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 4
  • Seasoned Cooked Fresh Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Aug. 28
  • Beechwood Smoked Ham Wh sell-by dates of Aug. 6 to Sept. 8
  • BourbonRidge Smoked Ham sell-by dates of July 30 to Sept. 6
  • Brown Sugar & Spice Delight Off the Bone Ham sell-by dates of July 31 to Sept. 9

Editor's note: This story, originally published July 22, 2024, has been updated.

Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency’s Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English.​

Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments.

Peter Urban is a contributing writer and editor who focuses on health news. Urban spent two decades working as a correspondent in Washington, D.C., including a stint as Washington bureau chief for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and for daily newspapers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio, California and Arkansas, His freelance work has appeared in Scientific American, Bloomberg Government and CTNewsJunkie.com.

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