(NewsNation) — Target, Kroger, Safeway, and Jewel are among the numerous retailers that carried deli meat linked to the largest listeria outbreak in more than a decade.
Health officials confirmed the Boar's Head deli meat was contaminated with listeria — a bacteria that can cause severe illness. The products were recalled, but supermarkets and businesses that had received the meats were urged to clean and sanitize their deli areas to prevent further contamination.
An 825-page list from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) lists the names and addresses of stores that may have had an inventory of the recalled meat. You can read the full list at the bottom of this page.
The recalled products include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised consumers to check their refrigerators for recalled meat and look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
Anyone who has recalled meat at home should throw it away or return it to the store, the CDC recommends. Those who purchased one of the 71 recalled deli products can also contact the place of purchase for a refund.
So far, the outbreak has been linked to 57 hospitalizations and nine deaths across 18 states. At least one wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with the listeria outbreak.
Listeriosis, or listeria infection, can cause mild symptoms for some people (fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), but can grow more serious for others. Severe symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Symptoms can come on quickly, within a few hours or days after eating contaminated food, or take as long as 70 days to appear.
Elderly and pregnant people are at especially high risk. Pregnant people can experience miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or other complications as a result.
Anyone at high risk of listeria complications is advised to heat deli meat to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating to kill any present bacteria.
Alix Martichoux and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
