The US Department of Agriculture recently issued a public health warning for headcheese due to possible listeria contamination.
According to the USDA, the May 9 alert involves deli meats — which typically consist of meat and seasonings cooked together and formed into a loaf or jelly-style product — produced by Crawford Sausage Co. and sold under the Daisy brand name.
A recall has not been issued because the affected headpieces are no longer available for sale. But the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said it is concerned that deli meats may be in consumers’ homes.
According to the USDA, the potential contamination was discovered as part of an ongoing disease outbreak investigation. The Illinois Department of Public Health and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are investigating a listeria outbreak that has sickened at least three Illinois residents.
FSIS collected a sample of an unopened Headcheese product that tested positive for Listeria. According to the agency, further testing is ongoing to determine whether the product samples are related to the specific outbreak strain.
In an email to USA TODAY, Crawford Sausage Company President John Zicha said the company has stopped producing headcheese and is “looking into the possible cause” of the contamination.
Which products are covered under health warnings?
The products subject to the alert were produced on January 20 and distributed to delis in Illinois and Indiana. they include:
- Packages of various weights packed or cut into retail delis containing “Daisy Brand Meat Products Headcheese” with a “use by” date of “March 26, 2026.”
- Packages of various weights packed or cut in retail delis that contain “Daisy Brand Meat Products Headcheese” with a red sticker indicating “Hot” and a “use by” date of “March 26 2026.”
Inside the USDA mark of inspection on packages is the establishment number “EST. 21406”.
What are the symptoms of listeria poisoning?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cleveland Clinic, listeria poisoning is a type of food-based illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes. It occurs after eating food contaminated with bacteria and can be especially dangerous or life-threatening for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
According to the CDC, symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Muscle pain.
- Headache.
- stiff neck.
- Confusion.
- Loss of balance.
- Objection.
- Diarrhea.
- Other gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and/or life-threatening infection of newborns.
- Death.
According to the CDC, people in the high-risk category who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical help.