Boar’s Head Recalls Roast Beef in Multiple States Over Potential Listeria Contamination
Boar’s Head has issued a multi-state recall for its Seasoned Filet of Roast Beef due to a potential Listeria contamination. The FSIS alert advises consumers in seven states to discard the product or return it for a refund.
Boar’s Head Recalls Provision Co., Inc., is voluntarily recalling approximately 7,500 pounds of its Seasoned Filet of Roast Beef due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the public health alert on Tuesday, urging consumers who have purchased the product not to consume it.
Boar’s Head Recalls Information
| Key Fact | Detail |
| Product Recalled | Boar’s Head Seasoned Filet of Roast Beef |
| Reason | Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes |
| Affected States | NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA, VA, NC |
| Consumer Action | Do not eat. Discard or return for a full refund. |
Details of the Boar’s Head Recall
The ready-to-eat roast beef products subject to the Boar’s Head recall were produced on June 23, 2025. According to the FSIS alert, the recall applies to whole filets sold at deli counters in seven states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, and North Carolina.
The product is identifiable by the establishment number “EST. 978” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging. Deli staff who slice the product for consumers may not have this information readily available, so customers are advised to check with their point of purchase if they are unsure.
The potential contamination was discovered during routine microbiological testing conducted by FSIS. The agency stated that there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products to date. However, officials are concerned that some products may still be in consumers’ refrigerators.
Health Risks and Listeria Concern
The recall was initiated due to a significant Listeria concern. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in high-risk individuals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this includes older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns.
“Listeriosis, the infection caused by the bacteria, can present with fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions,” said Dr. Eleanor Vance, a food safety expert at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “For pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, or premature delivery, which makes this a particularly serious food safety issue.”
Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The incubation period for listeriosis can be long, with symptoms sometimes appearing up to two months after consuming contaminated food, making it difficult to trace the source of an illness.
What Consumers and Retailers Should Do
FSIS and Boar’s Head are advising all consumers who have purchased the affected roast beef to take immediate action.
Guidance for Consumers
- Check your refrigerator: Look for any Boar’s Head Seasoned Filet of Roast Beef purchased since late June 2025.
- Do not consume: The product should not be eaten, even if it has been heated or cooked, as it may not kill the bacteria if not heated to a sufficient internal temperature.
- Dispose or return: Consumers should either throw the product away in a sealed bag or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Anyone with questions about the recall can contact the Boar’s Head customer service line at 1-800-352-6277. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).
Instructions for Retailers
Retailers that received the affected lots have been instructed to remove them from commerce immediately. They are also urged to post signs at deli counters to inform customers of the recall and to ensure their slicing equipment is properly sanitized to prevent cross-contamination.
Company and Agency Response
In a statement, Sarasota-based Boar’s Head Provision Co., Inc. emphasized its commitment to consumer safety. “We have initiated this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution and are working closely with the FSIS to ensure this product is promptly removed from the market,” the statement read. “The health and safety of our customers are our top priorities, and we are conducting a thorough investigation into the source of the issue.”
The FSIS alert is part of a broader federal effort to protect the public from foodborne illnesses. The agency routinely conducts risk-based examinations and tests at meat, poultry, and egg product facilities across the country.
“This recall demonstrates that our nation’s food safety system is working to identify potential hazards before they can cause widespread illness,” an FSIS spokesperson noted in a press briefing. “We encourage consumers to remain vigilant by checking recall notices and practicing safe food handling at home.”
As this is a Class I recall, it involves a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. The agencies will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
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