Skip to main content
Cloudy icon
54º

What to know about the deadly listeria outbreak, recalls in Michigan

Listeria concerns trigger recalls in Michigan

FILE - This 2002 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a Listeria monocytogenes bacterium, responsible for the food borne illness listeriosis. On Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, U.S. health officials said at least one death and a pregnancy loss are tied to an outbreak of listeria food poisoning associated with sliced deli meats and cheeses that has sickened 16 people in six states, including 13 who were hospitalized. (Elizabeth White/CDC via AP, File) (Elizabeth White)

There are recalls due to listeria that Michigan shoppers will need to know about.

Deadly listeria outbreak

On Tuesday, an additional 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat products made by Boar’s Head were recalled amid an investigation into a deadly listeria food poisoning outbreak.

According to CDC, at least 34 people have become ill, 33 people were hospitalized, and two people have died across 13 states. No illnesses have been reported in Michigan.

The recall includes ready-to-eat liverwurst products produced between June 11 and July 17. It includes the 5-pound loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis. Sell-by dates range from July 25 to Aug. 30.

Other Boar’s Head deli meat products included in the recall have the “EST. 12612″ inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. The sell-by dates are Aug. 10 or Aug. 15.

  • Virginia Ham Old Fashioned Ham
  • Italian Cappy Style Ham
  • Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham
  • Bologna
  • Beef Salami
  • Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat & Eat
  • Garlic Bologna
  • Beef Bologna

Kroger recalls produce

In a separate recall, Kroger recently recalled more than a dozen pre-packaged produce products over possible listeria contamination.

The products were sold at Kroger stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. No illnesses have been reported.

Only one store in Michigan has been impacted, the Kroger in Lambertville.

---> Kroger recalls 19 produce products sold in Michigan stores for listeria concerns

Other listeria recalls this month

There are a few other recalls listed on the FDA website that Michigan shoppers will want to know about:

What is listeria?

Listeria, or listeriosis, is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes.

It is estimated that around 1,600 people get listeriosis each year and about 260 of them die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of intestinal illness

Intestinal illness is not often diagnosed because laboratories do not often test stool samples for listeria.

Symptoms usually start within 24 hours after eating contaminated food. The symptoms usually last one to three days.

The symptoms are usually mild, but some people with intestinal illness develop invasive illness, which can be more severe.

Symptoms of intestinal illness include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

Symptoms of invasive illness

Invasive illness means the bacteria have spread beyond the intestines. Symptoms of invasive illness usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria.

People who are pregnant may experience different symptoms than people who are not pregnant.

Symptoms in pregnant people are usually mild, and some pregnant people never even have symptoms.

Infection during pregnancy usually leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

People who are pregnant may experience the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Flu-like symptoms (muscle aches and fatigue)

Symptoms in people who are not pregnant can be severe. Almost 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis die.

People who are not pregnant may experience the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Flu-like symptoms
    • Muscle aches
    • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Loss of balance
  • Seizures

About the Author
Kayla Clarke headshot

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

Loading...

Recommended Videos