Hundreds of Retailers Sold the Boar’s Head Deli Meat Linked to Ongoing Listeria Outbreak—Is Yours on the List?

This summer, a massive Boar’s Head deli meat recall impacted grocery stores, deli counters, and other retailers across the country, as dozens of Boar’s Head products were recalled nationwide due to a deadly Listeria outbreak. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recall is still active. As such, the agency recently released a complete list of retailers that the now-recalled Boar’s Head products were distributed to.

The list, which is over 800 pages long, breaks down the retailers by state and city. On it you’ll find recognizable national chains such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger, as well as dozens of local retailers and delis across nearly all 50 states and Washington, D.C. To view the complete list of retailers that sold the recalled Boar’s Head products, click here.

As a reminder, more than 7.2 million pounds of meat and more than 75 distinct Boar’s Head items sold nationwide are subject to this recall. It included packaged ham, salami, bologna, and more.

The recall was first initiated in July 2024 (with an expansion coming days later) after The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst sample from a retail store, and that sample tested positive for Listeria. The sample was obtained as part of an investigation into an ongoing Listeria outbreak, which has since been tied to Boar’s Head items.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that this recall has led to 57 illnesses and nine deaths so far. Six of the deaths occurred after August 8, 2024, and include one from Florida, one from Tennessee, one from New Mexico, one from New York, and two from South Carolina. 

Given the nature of this Listeria outbreak, the CDC is urging consumers to be extra cautious, especially when it comes to Boar’s Head items. “Everyone should check their homes for any remaining recalled Boar's Head products since they can have a long shelf-life,” the government agency warned. Look for ‘EST. 12612’ or ‘P-12612’ inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Some of the products have sell-by dates into October 2024.”

The CDC is also encouraging shoppers to “clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.”

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277. Additionally, those with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854), or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.