Introduction
A deli meat recall can be worrying, especially when you have sliced ham, bologna, salami, or liverwurst sitting in your refrigerator. The term deli meat recall most notably refers to the major 2024 recall involving Boar’s Head Provisions Co. and possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall affected millions of pounds of ready to eat meat products and was connected to a wider Listeria investigation involving meats sliced at retail delis.
If you are checking your refrigerator today, there is an important point to understand. The major Boar’s Head recall was issued in July 2024 and was later closed by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, or USDA FSIS, in November 2024. It is not a new 2026 recall. However, the information remains important because people may still search for the recall when checking older frozen products, saved recall notices, or health concerns.
Here is what you should know about the affected deli meats, brands, contamination concern, recall dates, and what to do if you think you ate a recalled product.
What Is the Deli Meat Recall?
The major recall was issued by Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc. after testing found Listeria monocytogenes in a liverwurst sample. The USDA FSIS announced the initial recall on July 26, 2024. source: Health Communication Research Laboratory
The original recall covered approximately 207,528 pounds of ready to eat liverwurst and other deli meat products. Boar’s Head later expanded the recall on July 30, 2024, adding approximately 7 million pounds of ready to eat meat and poultry products.
The products were classified as a Class I recall. According to USDA FSIS, this classification is used when there is a reasonable probability that eating the product could cause serious health consequences or death.
Key recall facts
• Manufacturer: Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc.
• Agency: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Initial recall date: July 26, 2024
• Recall expansion: July 30, 2024
• Main contamination concern: Listeria monocytogenes
• Main affected category: Ready to eat deli meat
• Distribution: Nationwide
• Recall status: Closed in November 2024
Which Deli Meats Were Recalled?
The initial recall included liverwurst and several other ready to eat deli meats produced on the same production line and on the same day. marketaura
Affected products included:
• Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst
• Boar’s Head Virginia Ham Old Fashioned Ham
• Boar’s Head Italian Cappy Style Ham
• Boar’s Head Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham
• Boar’s Head Bologna
• Boar’s Head Beef Salami
• Boar’s Head Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat and Eat
• Boar’s Head Garlic Bologna
• Boar’s Head Beef Bologna
Some products were sold as full pieces, while others were sliced at retail deli counters. This is important because deli counter products may not have had the same type of package information that you see on a sealed package.
The recalled products carried establishment number EST. 12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection. The initial products had specific production information and sell by dates that consumers were advised to check.
What Brands Were Affected by the Recall?
The main brands involved were Boar’s Head and, after the July 30 expansion, Old Country.
The expanded recall covered 71 products manufactured between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024. These products included meat intended for slicing at retail delis as well as certain packaged meat and poultry products.
This means you should not assume that the recall involved only liverwurst. The scope became much larger after additional investigation and testing.
When checking an older product, look carefully at the brand name, product description, establishment number, production information, and sell by date.
Why Was the Deli Meat Recalled?
The main concern was Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause listeriosis.
The problem was discovered after the Maryland Department of Health tested an unopened liverwurst product collected from a retail store. The sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Further testing later showed that a liverwurst sample contained the outbreak strain.
The USDA FSIS worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health authorities during the investigation.
Listeria is especially concerning because it can survive and grow in refrigerated foods. Ready to eat deli meats can therefore be an important food safety concern when contamination occurs.
People at higher risk include: marketaura
• Pregnant women
• Adults aged 65 and older
• People with weakened immune systems
• Newborn babies exposed during pregnancy
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and other symptoms. Serious infections can require hospitalization.
Is the Recalled Deli Meat Safe to Eat?
No. If you still have a product that matches the recalled product information, you should not eat it.
USDA FSIS advised consumers not to consume affected products. Consumers were told to throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase. The agency also recommended thoroughly cleaning refrigerators to reduce the possibility of cross contamination.
Do not rely only on smell, appearance, or taste. Food contaminated with harmful bacteria may look and smell normal.
If you are unsure whether an older package matches a recall, check the product details carefully rather than taking a chance.
What should you do with recalled deli meat?
- Stop eating the product immediately.
- Check the package against the recall information.
- Do not serve it to anyone else.
- Dispose of the product safely or return it to the retailer.
- Clean and sanitize areas where the meat was stored.
- Wash your hands after handling the product.
- If you develop concerning symptoms, contact a healthcare professional.
What If You Already Ate the Recalled Meat?
Do not panic if you previously ate a recalled product and feel well. However, you should pay attention to your health, particularly if you belong to a higher risk group.
Listeriosis can sometimes cause mild symptoms at first. More serious illness can develop in vulnerable people.
If you experience symptoms that concern you, speak with a healthcare professional and mention that you may have consumed recalled deli meat.
Pregnant people should take possible Listeria exposure especially seriously because infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or serious infection in a newborn.
Is There a New Deli Meat Recall in 2026?
This is where online searches can become confusing.
The major Boar’s Head deli meat recall discussed above occurred in 2024. USDA FSIS records show that the recall was closed on November 6, 2024.
There have also been later USDA food safety alerts involving meat products. For example, in May 2026, FSIS issued a public health alert involving Daisy Brand headcheese products from Crawford Sausage Co. that may have been contaminated with Listeria. That alert involved products distributed in Illinois and Indiana.
Because recall information can change, you should always check the exact product, manufacturer, date, and establishment information before assuming that a general search result applies to your food.
How to Stay Safe With Deli Meat
You can reduce your risk by handling deli foods carefully.
Keep refrigerated deli meat properly chilled and follow the storage instructions on the package. Wash your hands before and after handling food. Clean refrigerator shelves and containers regularly. source: Jackson Health System
If you are pregnant, older, or have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare professional about safer choices for ready to eat deli meats.
When you hear about a recall, do not ignore it just because the product looks fresh. A recall exists because a specific food safety concern has been identified.
Conclusion
The major deli meat recall involved Boar’s Head Provisions Co. and possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The initial recall was announced by USDA FSIS on July 26, 2024, and was expanded four days later to include a much larger range of ready to eat meat and poultry products. The recalled products included liverwurst, ham, bologna, salami, and other deli products sold under Boar’s Head and Old Country brands.
The most important takeaway is simple. If you have a product that matches an official recall notice, do not eat it. Check the product information carefully, dispose of affected food, and clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with it.
Have you checked your refrigerator for recalled deli meat recently?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the deli meat recall?
The major deli meat recall involved Boar’s Head products recalled in July 2024 because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
2. Which deli meat was recalled?
The recall included liverwurst, ham, bologna, beef salami, roasted bacon, and other ready to eat meat products.
3. What brand of deli meat was recalled?
Boar’s Head was the primary brand involved. The expanded recall also included products under the Old Country brand.
4. Why was Boar’s Head meat recalled?
The products were recalled because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness.
5. Is recalled deli meat safe to eat?
No. You should not eat a product that matches an official recall notice.
6. When was the Boar’s Head recall issued?
The initial recall was announced on July 26, 2024. It was expanded on July 30, 2024.
7. Is the Boar’s Head recall still active?
The USDA FSIS record shows the Boar’s Head recall was closed on November 6, 2024.
8. Can Listeria grow in deli meat?
Yes. Listeria monocytogenes can survive and grow in refrigerated ready to eat foods, which is one reason deli meats require careful handling.
9. What should you do if you ate recalled deli meat?
Monitor your health and contact a healthcare professional if you develop concerning symptoms. Tell the healthcare professional about the possible food exposure.
10. Who handles deli meat recalls in the United States?
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service handles recalls involving meat, poultry, and processed egg products. The FDA handles many other types of food recalls.
About the Author: Awais khan The author writes consumer focused food safety and health content designed to make complicated recall information easier to understand. The goal is to help readers find important facts quickly and make safer everyday food choices.
email: johanharwen@314gmail.com
Author Name: Awais khan
