Answers to your questions about listeria and Boar's Head deli meats

Boar’s Head has pulled more than 7 million pounds of meat products off the market amid a foodborne illness outbreak that has left two people dead and nearly three dozen hospitalized across 13 states in the Midwest and the East Coast, including in New York.

Since late May, 33 people  have been hospitalized with listeria bacteria linked to meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head liverwurst. The deaths were reported in New Jersey and Illinois. Twelve people were infected in New York, including four in New York City, two in Suffolk and one in Nassau County, according to Danielle De Souza, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Health. The other cases in the state are in Cayuga, Dutchess, Greene, Onondaga and Oswego counties.

Officials said the number of individuals infected nationwide is likely higher, due to people who recover and do not test.

The problem was discovered after an unopened package of Boar's Head liverwurst sold at a store in Maryland tested positive for the outbreak strain on Monday. 

"Epidemiologic and laboratory data now show that meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with listeria and are making people sick," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states on its website. The agency said it is still investigating the source of the illness. 

Boar’s Head, a household name since 1905, has taken several steps to try to get ahead of the issue, saying on its website it was acting "out of an abundance of caution," in recalling all products produced at its Jarratt, Virginia, facility and pausing ready-to-eat operations there.

"As a company that prioritizes safety and quality, we believe it is the right thing to do," the company stated. Boar’s Head also said, "No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness."

The company on Tuesday recalled nearly 7 million pounds of meat and poultry products on top of a previous 207,528 pounds of products recalled on Friday. The recalled products include deli and packaged meats. Food businesses across Long Island were also doing their part to control the spread of any illness.

Here are answers to questions about the illness and products that spread it.

What is listeria and how does it spread?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can be found in moist environments, soil, sewage and animal feces. It is usually transmitted during the harvesting, processing, preparing or packaging of foods and is spread by eating contaminated foods. Improper food handling and poor sanitation and employee practices can contaminate equipment and foods. The bacteria can be found in deli meats and unpasteurized dairy products, among other foods, such as cantaloupes.

Listeria persists in foods low in acidity, low in salt and high in moisture. While refrigeration does not kill the bacteria, it can be killed through reheating at high temperatures.

It is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, according to the CDC.

Should I be worried?

Consumers who have the recalled products should discard them immediately or return them to stores for a refund.

Most cases of listeria are mild, with short-term symptoms including fever, headaches nausea, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea.

Pregnant women, people over 65 and people with a weakened immune system are at risk of the more serious illness called listeriosis. Severe symptoms includes stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Treatment includes antibiotics. 

About 1,600 people nationwide get sick from listeria each year and about 260 die, according to the CDC.

What products did Boar’s Head recall?

Boar’s Head recalled 71 items produced between May 10 and Monday under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. On its website, Boar’s Head provides a list of all the items pulled, including 18 types of ham, 11 types of bologna, two types of bacon, five types of frankfurters, five types of sausages and, under the Old Country brand, 15 types of ham and one type of bacon.

Recalled products include Strassburger brand liverwurst, Virginia ham, Italian cappy ham, bologna and beef salami. Other items, include uncured kielbasa, uncured beef frankfurters, natural casing beef franks, Canadian style bacon and all natural chicken sausage — smoked andouille.

What are retailers doing?

Mike Durant, the president of the Food Industry Alliance based in Albany, which advocates for the retail food industry and has members on Long Island, said supermarkets are doing their part to control the spread.

"I think our members are doing their due diligence in cleanliness and tracking their products," Durant said. 

Stop & Shop supermarket said in an email it reopened delis Tuesday afternoon after temporarily halting operations for "deep cleaning and sanitization."

Several deli stores said in addition to sending back the products recalled, some are taking extra measures by disinfecting more frequently.

At Beach Bagel & Deli in East Atlantic Beach, manager Christine O’Connor, 56, said, "We clean the slicer constantly. We change gloves after each customer and are not serving the products being recalled."