U.S. health officials have issued a public health alert for a popular product sold specifically at delis in Illinois and Indiana due to listeria, with at least three people in Illinois sickened and the state health department investigating.
The alert, issued Saturday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, identifies the product as a pork deli meat known as headcheese. The ready-to-eat product, officials said, is typically made from meat and seasonings that are cooked together and formed into a loaf or jelly-style item.
The products, produced by Crawford Sausage Co., were distributed to retail deli locations in Illinois and Indiana for slicing and selling. Health officials are concerned the products could still be in customers’ refrigerators.
“Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination,” a release from the FSIS said. In addition, delis are advised to clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces, and discard any deli items that were sold in the same area as the contaminated products.
The full description of the products can be found below, according to the FSIS:
- 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.”
According to officials, the problem was discovered as part of an ongoing illness outbreak investigation, with at least three people sickened in Illinois. Because the outbreak is contained in the state, the Illinois Department of Health and the FSIS are leading the investigation, the alert said.
The alert comes amid a nationwide salmonella recall, with dozens of popular snacks sold at grocery stores and retailers recalled due to potential contamination concerns.
What is listeria?
Food contaminated with listeria can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
“Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms,” the FSIS said. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In some cases, the infection can be fatal.
People in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care, officials said.
