Health officials have issued a warning regarding a ready-to-eat deli meat product that may be contaminated with a potentially deadly bacteria. The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has released a public health alert concerning Daisy brand headcheese, a ready-to-eat pork deli meat product formed into a loaf.
Outbreak Details and Product Information
The product has been connected to an outbreak of listeria, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and muscle aches. This outbreak has sickened three individuals in the state of Illinois. Daisy did not issue a recall because the products are no longer available for purchase.
According to FSIS, the fully cooked pork headcheese products implicated in the outbreak were produced on January 20. The alert applies to 'DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE' with a use-by date of March 26, 2026, and 'DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE' with a red sticker indicating 'HOT' and the same use-by date. The implicated products bear the establishment number 'EST. 21406' inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were distributed to retail deli stores in both Illinois and Indiana.
Consumer Actions and Investigation
Although the products are no longer for sale, FSIS expressed concern that recently purchased product may still be in consumers' refrigerators. 'Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them,' the agency stated. 'These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination.'
FSIS, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments, is investigating the outbreak. FSIS collected an unopened headcheese product sample that tested positive for listeria. 'Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product samples are related to the specific outbreak strain,' FSIS noted. No details have been released about the three individuals who have fallen ill.
Understanding Listeria
Listeria, also known as listeriosis, is a serious infection caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. It can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation, and animals, and it can survive refrigeration and other food preservation methods. Many foods can harbor the bacterium, but it is commonly found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, and ready-to-eat foods such as pre-packed sandwiches. Cooked shellfish, cured meats, fish including sushi, and pre-cut fruit also pose a risk.
Most people who eat food contaminated with listeria will not become seriously ill. However, in some cases, it can lead to confusion, seizures, miscarriages in pregnant women, and even death. This occurs when the infection spreads beyond the gut and affects the central nervous system, causing numbness and seizures.
Recommendations for Retail Delis and Consumers
'FSIS recommends retail delis clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli that housed the products subject to this alert,' the agency wrote. FSIS also advises consumers with questions to call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email a question to MPHotline@usda.gov.
