Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

US Issues Health Alert Over Headcheese Deli Meat Linked to Listeria Risk

A public health alert has been issued by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for headcheese over possible contamination with <em><span rel="noindex">Listeria</span> monocytogenes</em> (<em>Lm</em>).  

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 FSIS, in a statement, said that no recall was initiated as the products are no longer available for purchase. 

<h2>Which Products Are Under Alert? </h2>

The fully cooked pork <span>headcheese products</span> were produced on January 20, 2026. 

The products were intended for slicing at retail delis, and some deli purchases may display only the producer’s brand without the expiration date. 

The following products are subject to the public health alert.  

<ul><li>Various weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis, containing “DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE,” with a “USE BY” date of “MAR 26 2026.” </li><li>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.”   </li></ul>

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

<h2>How Was The Contamination Detected? </h2>

 <strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/can-healthy-foods-increase-lung-cancer-risk-new-study-raises-concerns-article-154138458" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Healthy Foods Increase Lung Cancer Risk? New Study Raises Concerns</a>

The possible contamination was discovered as part of an ongoing illness outbreak investigation by the FSIS, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and local health departments. The localized outbreak of <em>Lm</em> caused illness among three people in Illinois.  

A team from the FSIS collected an unopened headcheese product sample that tested positive for <em>Lm</em>.  

“Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product samples are related to the specific outbreak strain,” the statement said. 

Noting that the recently purchased product may remain in consumer refrigerators, the FSIS urged “consumers who have purchased these products 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,” the agency added. 

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/why-the-norovirus-outbreak-on-a-caribbean-cruise-ship-is-not-a-cause-for-panic-article-154293052" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why The Norovirus Outbreak On A Caribbean Cruise Ship Is Not A Cause for Panic</a> <h2></h2>

Listeria is a bacterium found in soil, water, and animals that can contaminate food and cause listeriosis, a serious infection, according to the World Health Organization. It can live and grow even at refrigerator temperatures. 

People usually become sick after eating contaminated items such as soft cheeses, deli meats, or unpasteurized milk. Symptoms may be mild or flu-like, but the infection can lead to dangerous problems, including meningitis. 

In the United States, listeria is the third leading cause of death linked to foodborne illness and is responsible for about 260 deaths each year. 

Consumption of food contaminated with <em>Lm </em>can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and their newborns.  

<ul><li>fever,  </li><li>muscle aches,  </li><li>headache,  </li><li>stiff neck,  </li><li>confusion,  </li><li>loss of balance  </li><li>convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.  </li></ul> 

Further, the FSIS stated that in pregnant women, the infection can cause  

<ul><li>miscarriages,  </li><li>stillbirths,  </li><li>premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.  </li></ul> 

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.

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A public health alert has been issued by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for headcheese over possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).   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 FSIS, in a statement, said that no recall was initiated as the products are no longer available for purchase.  Which Products Are Under Alert?  The fully cooked pork headcheese products were produced on January 20, 2026.  The products were intended for slicing at retail delis, and some deli purchases may display only the producer’s brand without the expiration date.  The following products are subject to the public health alert.   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 the establishment number “EST. 21406” inside the USDA mark of inspection. According to FSIS, the products were distributed to retail deli locations in Illinois and Indiana.   How Was The Contamination Detected?  Also read: Can Healthy Foods Increase Lung Cancer Risk? New Study Raises ConcernsThe possible contamination was discovered as part of an ongoing illness outbreak investigation by the FSIS, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and local health departments. The localized outbreak of Lm caused illness among three people in Illinois.   A team from the 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,” the statement said.  Noting that the recently purchased product may remain in consumer refrigerators, the FSIS urged “consumers who have purchased these products 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,” the agency added. Read More: Why The Norovirus Outbreak On A Caribbean Cruise Ship Is Not A Cause for Panic What Is Listeria? Listeria is a bacterium found in soil, water, and animals that can contaminate food and cause listeriosis, a serious infection, according to the World Health Organization. It can live and grow even at refrigerator temperatures. People usually become sick after eating contaminated items such as soft cheeses, deli meats, or unpasteurized milk. Symptoms may be mild or flu-like, but the infection can lead to dangerous problems, including meningitis.  In the United States, listeria is the third leading cause of death linked to foodborne illness and is responsible for about 260 deaths each year. Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and their newborns.  Symptoms Of Listeria Listeriosis can cause  fever,  muscle aches,  headache,  stiff neck,  confusion,  loss of balance  convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.   Further, the FSIS stated that 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.   Listeria Treatment  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.