Do You Have a Cold or Something More Serious?
Everything To Know About The Listeria Outbreaks—As Boar's Head Plant Closes Indefinitely
ToplineThe Boar's Head plant in Virginia linked to the largest listeria outbreak in more than a decade will close indefinitely, the company said Friday, after inspections at the facility revealed black mold, mildew, bugs and unsanitary conditions that could be blamed for the dozens of hospitalizations and nine deaths linked to the outbreak.
Boar's Head deli meats on display in Georgia.
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Key FactsA listeria outbreak in deli meats was first reported in July and, as of Friday, has been linked to 57 hospitalizations across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including nine deaths across South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and New York.
Boar's Head on Friday also said it would permanently discontinue liverwurst, the product in which the initial listeria bacteria was found.
The company said its internal investigation "identified the root cause of the contamination as a specific production process that only existed at the Jarratt facility and was used only for liverwurst."
The closure of the plant will impact at least 500 employees, and a union representative told The New York Times the company is providing severance packages and relocation options.
The announcement comes after records from U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors' visit to the Boar's Head plant in Virginia were published and found that multiple products distributed across states from that factory were tested and found to be contaminated with listeria, and also revealed dozens of health and safety violations at the location.
Boar's Head said in its Friday announcement that the listeria outbreak "is a dark moment in our company's history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company, but for the entire industry."
In early August, Boar's Head recalled 7 million pounds of deli meats—in addition to an initial 200,000-pound recall—and added 71 products made over the course of six weeks to its list, including pre-packaged meat and poultry products for the first time.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text "Alerts" to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
What Is Listeria?Listeria is a foodborne illness most often contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats (listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food, the CDC says) and unpasteurized milk products, and the hearty bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing. Most healthy people rarely become ill from listeria infection, but it does disproportionately impact people older than 65, newborns and pregnant women, who may themselves experience only mild symptoms, but babies in utero can die from Listeria.
Where Have People Gotten Sick From Listeria In Deli Meat?The 18 states where cases have been recorded, according to the CDC, include: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. New York and Maryland have reported the most cases, with 17 and eight, respectively.
What Deli Meats Have Been Recalled For Listeria?Boar's Head Provisions Co. Recalled liverwurst after a sample of the product in a Maryland store tested positive for listeria, and the company has also recalled meats sliced on the same day on the same line as the liverwurst at a Virginia plant. Those include Virginia old fashioned ham, Italian Cappy style ham, extra hot Italian Cappy style ham, bologna, beef salami, steakhouse roasted bacon ham and garlic bologna with an Aug. 10 sell-by date. Boar's Head second recall, announced last week, includes 71 different products made between May 10 and July 29. More specifics can be found on the USDA website. The outbreak has been linked to meat sliced at deli counters, not prepackaged meats.
How Does Listeria Spread Among Deli Meats?The listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water, animal feces and raw materials. The CDC says cold cuts, cheeses and other deli products are at particular risk of listeria because of how easy it is for the bacteria to spread among deli equipment and surfaces. While meats are kept refrigerated, refrigeration does not kill listeria, and it can be a tough bacteria to eliminate. When meats are prepared at a facility where listeria persists, the bacteria can spread on surfaces, hands and through the food itself. One person died and 16 were sickened due to a listeria outbreak among deli meats and cheeses in six states in 2022, and a similar outbreak killed one and sickened another 12 in four states in 2020.
What Stores Have Recalled Produce For Listeria, And In What States?Walmart has recalled bagged and bulk produce in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Aldi locations in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have done the same. Other stores, including Save-a-Lot, Kroger, Shop 'n Save, have also recalled products in the states listed above and Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Tennessee.
What Vegetables Have Been Recalled For Listeria?The Department of Agriculture said in early August more than a dozen pre-packaged and bulk summer vegetables were being recalled due to possible listeria contamination, though no illnesses have been reported in association with that recall—the two do not appear to be related. Bagged poblanos, cubanelle peppers, green beans, salad cucumbers, serranos, organic bell peppers, cucumbers, yellow squash and zucchini from the Wiers Farm have been recalled, as have bagged green beans and jalapenos from Freshire Farms. Bulk Anaheim peppers, clinanto, cubanelle peppers, cucumbers, green beans, green bell peppers, habanero peppers, hungarian wax peppers, jalapeno peppers, mustard greens, pickling cucumbers, parsley, poblanos, serranos and tomatillos have also been recalled, though no specific brand names were mentioned. The barcodes for each recalled product can be found on the FDA's website.
Surprising FactA Missouri couple has sued Boar's Head and Schnucks Markets after they purchased contaminated liverwurst in June. Sue Fleming, 88, became "deathly ill" and was hospitalized with a listeria infection, according to her lawyer. She did recover from the illness after a long stay in a hospital, followed by a stay at a rehabilitation facility. The couple is now suing for $25,000 in damages and claims the illness caused "loss of enjoyment of life" and "damage to the marital relationship."
Further Reading ForbesBoar's Head Recalls 200,000 Pounds Of Deli Meats As Listeria Outbreak Expands To 13 StatesBy Brian BushardForbesListeria Outbreak Hits 12 States-Especially New York, Maryland-2 Deaths ReportedBy Brian BushardForbesCostco, Trader Joe's, Walmart Recall Dairy Products Over Listeria Outbreak-What To KnowBy Arianna JohnsonWastewater Monitoring Can Detect Foodborne Illness, Researchers Find
image:
The researchers tested raw sewage samples collected twice a week from two treatment plants in central Pennsylvania for non-typhoidal Salmonella and characterized isolates using whole genome sequencing. They recovered 43 Salmonella isolates from wastewater samples.
view moreCredit: Provided by Ed Dudley/Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — First used in the 1940s to monitor for polio, wastewater surveillance proved such a powerful disease monitoring tool that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the National Wastewater Surveillance System to support SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in September of 2020. Now, a team of scientists from Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Health have shown that domestic sewage monitoring is useful for a foodborne pathogen as well.
In findings published today (Sept. 19) in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, the researchers report that the bacteria Salmonella enterica was detected in samples from two wastewater treatment plants in central Pennsylvania during June 2022.
"Non-typhoidal Salmonella is a common cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, but current surveillance for the disease is suboptimal, so in this research we evaluated the utility of wastewater monitoring to enhance surveillance for this foodborne pathogen," said Nkuchia M'ikanatha, lead epidemiologist, Pennsylvania Department of Health and an affiliated researcher in Penn State's Department of Food Science, in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "In this study, we explored wastewater monitoring as a tool to enhance surveillance for this foodborne pathogen. Wastewater testing can detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community, even in asymptomatic individuals, offering an early warning system for potential outbreaks."
While health care providers are required to report salmonellosis cases, many go undetected. Salmonella bacteria, inhabiting the intestines of animals and humans, are shed in feces. The CDC estimates Salmonella causes roughly 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths annually in the U.S., primarily through contaminated food.
In June 2022, the researchers tested raw sewage samples collected twice a week from two treatment plants in central Pennsylvania for non-typhoidal Salmonella and characterized isolates using whole genome sequencing. They recovered 43 Salmonella isolates from wastewater samples, differentiated by genomic analysis into seven serovars, which are groupings of microorganisms based on similarities. Eight of the isolates, or nearly 20%, were from a rare type of Salmonella called Baildon.
The researchers assessed genetic relatedness and epidemiologic links between non-typhoidal Salmonella isolates from wastewater and similar bacteria from patients with salmonellosis. The Salmonella Baildon serovars isolated from wastewater were genetically indistinguishable from a similar bacteria found in a patient associated with a salmonellosis outbreak in the same period in the area. Salmonella Baildon from wastewater and 42 outbreak-related isolates in the national outbreak detection database had the same genetic makeup. One of the 42 outbreak-related isolates was obtained from a patient residing in the wastewater study sample collection catchment area, which serves approximately 17,000 people.
Salmonella Baildon is a rare serovar — reported in less than 1% of cases nationally over five years, noted M'ikanatha, the study's first author. He pointed out that this research demonstrates the value of monitoring sewage from a defined population to supplement traditional surveillance methods for evidence of Salmonella infections and to determine the extent of outbreaks.
"Using whole genome sequencing, we showed that isolates of variant Salmonella Baildon clustered with those from an outbreak that occurred in a similar time frame," he said. "Case reports were primarily from Pennsylvania, and one individual lived within the treatment plant catchment area. This study provides support for using domestic sewage surveillance in assisting public health agencies to identify communities impacted by infectious diseases."
Ed Dudley, a professor of food science and the senior author on the study, said these findings highlight the potential of wastewater monitoring as an early warning system for foodborne disease outbreaks, potentially even before physicians and laboratories report cases. This proactive approach could enable health officials to swiftly trace the source of contaminated food, ultimately reducing the number of people affected, suggested Dudley, who also directs Penn State's E. Coli Reference Center.
"While it may not happen overnight, I foresee a future where many, if not most, domestic wastewater treatment plants contribute untreated sewage samples for monitoring evidence of various illnesses," he said. "This would likely involve collaboration among public health agencies, academia and federal entities, much like our pilot study. I see this as yet another crucial lesson from the pandemic."
Contributing to the research at Penn State were Jasna Kovac, associate professor of food science and Lester Earl and Veronica Casida Career Development Professor of Food Safety; Erin Nawrocki and Yezhi Fu, postdoctoral scholars in the Dudley Lab; Zoe Goldblum, undergraduate researcher in the Department of Food Science; and Nicholas Cesari, Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture provided funding for this research.
JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology
Method of ResearchExperimental study
Subject of ResearchCells
Article TitleOutbreak-associated Salmonella Baildon found in wastewater demonstrates how sewage monitoring can supplement traditional disease surveillance
Article Publication Date19-Sep-2024
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! Are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! By contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Boar's Head Discontinues Liverwurst Following Deadly Listeria Outbreak. The Latest Info About Foodborne Illnesses.
Foodborne illnesses are surprisingly common. (Photo illustration: Aisha Yousaf for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images)
Boar's Head has announced that it's permanently discontinuing its liverwurst products and indefinitely closing its Jarratt, Va., plant following a deadly listeria outbreak linked to its deli meat. Per the most recent date from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine deaths and 57 hospitalizations across 18 states have been reported in the outbreak.
The outbreak prompted a recall of more than 7 million pounds of Boar's Head deli meat products, including liverwurst. According to Boar's Head, an investigation has determined that the root cause of contamination was a "specific production process that only existed at the Jarratt facility and was used only for liverwurst." As a result, liverwurst has been permanently discontinued.
"We regret and deeply apologize for the recent Listeria monocytogenes contamination in our liverwurst product," the company's statement reads. "We understand the gravity of this situation and the profound impact it has had on affected families. Comprehensive measures are being implemented to prevent such an incident from ever happening again."
The statement also addressed concerns from the USDA about unsanitary conditions at the Jarratt facility. "In response to the inspection records and noncompliance reports at the Jarratt plant, we will not make excuses," the company says. The plant — which has not been operational since late July, when Boar's Head issued its recall — will be closed indefinitely. While the company acknowledged the impact this will have on "hundreds of hard-working employees," it notes that "a plant closure is the most prudent course."
Boar's Head also pledged to implement "enhanced food safety and quality measures," including appointing a new chief food safety and quality assurance officers; establishing a food safety council featuring independent experts; the creation of a companywide food safety and quality assurance program to ensure Boar's Head is able to "meet the high standards that you deserve and expect."
"This is a dark moment in our company's history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company, but for the entire industry," the company said.
Foodborne illnesses are shockingly common in the United States. The CDC says that about 48 million people get sick from foodborne diseases every year. Here's a guide to everything to know about these illnesses, from symptoms to treatment.
ListeriaWhat it is: A disease-causing bacteria called listeria monocytogenes. It can survive and grow under refrigeration. The disease people develop after eating food contaminated with this bacteria is called listeriosis.
What the symptoms are: Mild symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, while symptoms for the more severe form of listeriosis include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What experts need you to know: "Listeria has the unfortunate property to grow under refrigeration temperatures, which is uncommon for foodborne illness," Dr. Albert Shaw tells Yahoo Life. Shaw is an infectious diseases specialist and professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine. Shaw added: "It can contaminate any food really, but we see outbreaks in raw fruits and vegetables, as well as improperly heated hot dogs and things like deli meats. Unpasteurized milk or soft cheeses, especially Brie and queso that are made with potentially unpasteurized ingredients, have been associated with outbreaks in the past."
While listeriosis symptoms can typically be treated at home, Dr. Julie Parsonnet notes that the disease can be serious in certain individuals. Parsonnet is a professor of infectious diseases at Stanford University School of Medicine. "Pregnant women are at risk because the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and the placenta, and there's a high risk of fetal loss due to the infection," she tells Yahoo Life. "The elderly can also get listeria in their blood and their brain, causing meningitis. It's not a common cause of disease, but among the foodborne illnesses, listeria is one of the more common causes of death."
SalmonellaWhat it is: A group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness. It's typically associated with meat and poultry as well as undercooked eggs, but dairy products, fruits and leafy greens can also be contaminated.
What the symptoms are: Gastrointestinal illness, which includes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. More severe illnesses associated with salmonella include high fever, lethargy, a rash and blood in the urine or stool, according to the FDA.
What experts need you to know: In the U.S., poultry and eggs — as seen with this recent outbreak and recall — are the most common sources of salmonella, says Parsonnet. You can typically avoid the bacteria by cooking your food. It's also important to avoid cross contamination while preparing food, making sure that raw ingredients don't touch anything you will be consuming.
Shaw says that for those with a normal immune system, salmonella typically runs its course in two to three days. Though most people recover at home, Parsonnet says it's possible to see "severe illness in people who are immunocompromised or have sickle cell anemia."
E. ColiWhat it is: A bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals, and is known as Escherichia coli, or E. Coli. Though it is harmless while in the gut, ingesting certain types of E. Coli — such as E. Coli O157:H7 — can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, according to the Mayo Clinic. One way E. Coli is spread is when feces contaminate food and water. Since animals can potentially carry pathogenic E. Coli, touching animals, such as at a petting zoo, can potentially put you at risk.
What the symptoms are: Stomach issues include severe cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Fever is also common. In extreme cases, E. Coli may lead to a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and neurologic problems, according to the FDA.
"If people develop bloody diarrhea or have a decline in urine output or are pale, they should seek medical attention," says Shaw.
What experts need you to know: Consuming ground beef can potentially put you at a greater risk of E. Coli exposure. "If you cook your steak, and you cook the outside, you're usually safe from it," says Parsonnet. "But if you make hamburgers, you're taking the outside of the meat that's been contaminated, and you're mixing it in the middle." (The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160°F to destroy harmful bacteria.)
But it's not just ground beef that's linked to outbreaks. "A few years ago, there was an E. Coli outbreak in apple juice because it was probably contaminated by feces," says Parsonnet. Anything that's contaminated with animal feces, such as produce grown in fields, has the potential to expose you to E. Coli, she says.
Hepatitis AWhat it is: A highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Exposure typically happens when people come into close contact with an infected person, as well as through eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the virus.
What the symptoms are: Lethargy, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, joint pain and dark-colored urine are all common symptoms. Clay- or gray-colored stool, as well as intense itching and jaundiced skin, are signs that can distinguish a hepatitis A infection from other foodborne illnesses.
What experts need you to know: Hepatitis A is rare in the U.S., thanks to vaccinations, notes Parsonnet. Adults who get hepatitis A typically recover within one to two weeks, but it's possible for the disease to become chronic, which can lead to liver failure and death.
Shaw says that hepatitis A "is usually foodborne, either from contamination in the fields or with a food handler who is preparing food without sufficient precautions. Transmission can come from someone going to the bathroom and not washing their hands sufficiently and then preparing food."
Recent hepatitis A outbreaks have been linked to strawberries, as well as raw scallops, frozen tuna and conventional blackberries.
NorovirusWhat it is: A highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
What the symptoms are: Norovirus causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. "It usually resolves within two to three days," says Shaw. These symptoms typically last one to three days, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What experts need you to know: Typically, people become infected after coming into contact with the virus by consuming food or drink contaminated by another person with the virus, or by coming into contact with a surface or object with the virus and then touching their mouth.
According to the CDC, norovirus is responsible for about 50% of all outbreaks of food-related illness, most of which happen in food-service settings such as restaurants.
"This is the virus that's associated with outbreaks on cruise ships," Shaw points out. "It is highly contagious because the dose that you need to become infected is really low."
Parsonnet agrees, adding: "If you have it, you can easily give it to your family and to other people in the household" through being in close contact, such as sharing food or eating utensils. Most people recover without treatment, but symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting can cause severe dehydration.
How to recover from foodborne illnessesThe treatment for mild foodborne illness is typically rest and drinking plenty of fluids in order to avoid dehydration. In rare and severe cases, listeria and salmonella may be treated with antibiotics.
It's also important to keep an eye on your symptoms, notes Parsonnet. A fever greater than 102°F, bloody diarrhea or diarrhea with mucus, bad abdominal cramps, weakness or confusion, and symptoms that don't improve within 48 hours warrant reaching out to a health care provider.
This article was originally published on June 15, 2023, and has been updated.
View comments
Comments
Post a Comment