USDA

Public Health Alert

Congressional   and Public Affairs
 Bailey McWilliams 

FSISpress@usda.gov

 

FSIS ISSUES PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT FOR HEADCHEESE DELI MEAT PRODUCTS THAT   MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH LISTERIA

WASHINGTON, May 9,   2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection   Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for headcheese that may be contaminated with Listeria   monocytogenes (Lm). A recall was not requested because the   products are no longer available for purchase. Headcheese is a ready-to-eat   (RTE), pork deli meat product typically made from meat and seasonings that   are cooked together and formed into a loaf or jelly-style product. 

The fully cooked pork   headcheese products were produced on January 20, 2026. These products are   intended for slicing at retail delis and some deli purchases may only show   the producer’s brand without the affected date. The following products are subject   to the public health alert [view labels]: 

• Various        weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis, containing “DAISY        BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE,” with a “USE BY” date of “MAR 26 2026.” 
• Various        weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis, containing “DAISY        BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE,” with a red sticker indicating “HOT” and        a “USE BY” date of “MAR 26 2026.”  

The products bear establishment number “EST. 21406” inside   the USDA mark of inspection. These items were distributed to retail deli   locations in Illinois and Indiana. 

The problem was   discovered as part of an ongoing illness outbreak investigation. FSIS, the   Illinois Department of Public Health, and local health departments in   Illinois are investigating a localized outbreak of Lm that includes   three sick people in Illinois. Because the outbreak is contained within the   state, Illinois is leading this investigation with FSIS. FSIS continues to   keep its federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   informed as the investigation progresses. FSIS collected an unopened   headcheese product sample that tested positive for Lm. Further testing   is ongoing to determine if the product samples are related to the specific   outbreak strain.

FSIS is concerned   that recently purchased product may remain in consumer refrigerators. Consumers who   have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. 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.

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can   cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults,   persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.   Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache,   stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by   diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads   beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause   miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection   of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur   in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated   with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience   flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should   seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the   contaminated food.

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. Retailers   may refer to FSIS’ guideline, Best Practices   Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Retail   Delicatessens,   for information on steps to prevent Lm contamination in RTE foods that   are prepared or sliced in retail delis and consumed in the home, such as deli   meats and deli salads.

Media and   consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact the Crawford   Sausage Co., Inc. at (773) 277 3095.

Consumers 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. For   consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product,   the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24   hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.Our expert butchers are on hand to help you with any questions and special requests. They can help you with cooking times, marinades, and proper storage techniques.