2024’s Listeria outbreak has L.I. food industry, consumers on high alert

The Listeria bacteria, shown here under a microscope, caused hundreds of thousands of pounds of meat to be recalled in 2024 after a rash of illnesses. // Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via Wikimedia Commons

By Lauren Lee

Cathy Scutellaro, a preschool director and Massapequa resident, said she weighs several factors when shopping for prepackaged meats. While price is one, she keeps a mental checklist of other items to consider.

Is the meat in a safe container? Is it vacuum sealed or airtight? What is the expiration date? Scutellaro said she believes these questions help ensure she is buying safe products free from contamination.

With the sudden increase in 2024 of food-borne illness outbreaks across the country — including on Long Island — many consumers like Scutellaro are practicing careful shopping habits. “I do all those things that I’m supposed to do to make sure that what I’m buying is a healthy and safe product,” she said.

At least 59 people across 19 states were infected with Listeria in the first nine months of last year, according to a Sept. 17, 2024, report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New York residents were infected, two of whom died from the illness. A total of 10 people have died of Listeria since the CDC’s investigation began last July.

According to the CDC, this was the largest Listeriosis outbreak since 2011. There were two recent Listeria investigations, one of which was ongoing as of December.

Dr. Martine Hackett, of Uniondale, an associate professor of public health at Hofstra University, said food-borne illnesses can originate in fields, factories, restaurants or supermarkets. “Food borne-illnesses come from some level of contamination in the food-distribution process. All the way along the food system continuum are places where food-borne illnesses can occur.”

In 2024, Nassau and Suffolk counties each reported cases of Listeria, a bacteria that easily contaminates food and surfaces. Illnesses linked to Listeria have been difficult to track since those infected may experience symptoms up to 10 weeks after consuming a contaminated product. Symptoms to look out for include fever, muscle aches, headaches, nausea and diarrhea.

According to the CDC, its investigation linked a strain of Listeria to Yu Shang Food Inc., and a food recall was issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As of Dec. 5, the CDC recorded 19 cases, two of which reported eating Yu Shang ready-to-eat chicken meals.

CDC reports show that another strain of Listeria likely originated in a Boar’s Head plant in Virginia. A CBS article reported the plant had health violations, including mold, mildew and insects.

Boar’s Head released a statement on its website in response to the outbreak:

“We regret and deeply apologize for the recent Listeria monocytogenes contamination in our liverwurst product. We understand the gravity of this situation and the profound impact it has had on affected families. Comprehensive measures are being implemented to prevent such an incident from ever happening again.”

Scutellaro said she learned of the outbreak mostly through social media. As a preschool director, she is familiar with taking extra measures to prevent illness from spreading to her and her students. “My biggest concern is that some people get information and they don’t understand it,” she said.

Scutellaro recounted her preschool’s Thanksgiving lunch at which a 4-year-old student was too scared to eat the spiced turkey in fear that it might have been contaminated. School staff had to reach out to the boy’s parents and assure them that the deli meat was not a Boar’s Head product and it was safe to eat.

“Food borne-illnesses come from some level of contamination in the food-distribution process. All the way along the food system continuum are places where food-borne illnesses can occur.”

Dr. Martine Hackett, Hofstra University Associate Professor of Public Health



The 2024 Listeria outbreak has had a major impact on the Long Island food industry, affecting both the way consumers shop and the way food marketers sell their products. Scutellaro now shops more carefully, saying, “It makes me think twice about things.

The CDC cautions high-risk individuals to take extra precautions when shopping for possibly contaminated products. High-risk individuals include pregnant women, people aged 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems.

Meanwhile, many businesses have had to adjust and accommodate the massive recall of Boar’s Head products. Seventy-one products were recalled, including deli meats, prepackaged meats and poultry products last year. This resulted in over 207,000 pounds of meat recalled.

A Port Washington deli changed its business model in response to the Listeria outbreak. A CBS article spotlighted Harbor Deli, which has three locations across Port Washington and Woodbury.

The deli started roasting its own meats and as of December no longer carried Boar’s Head products. The deli owner declined comment when called by The Long Island Advocate.

Since the outbreak, there has been an influx of local delis and supermarkets ordering premium, high-quality meats to sell.

There are several ways the spread of Listeria can be prevented. The CDC warned consumers to research and dispose of any products that have been recalled.

The CDC also encouraged consumers to clean the surfaces of their refrigerators if they had recently stored deli meats or any recalled products. Listeriosis can easily spread to foods in a refrigerated environment.

When eating possibly contaminated deli products, consumers are encouraged to heat up the meats until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees to kill the Listeria.

Hackett recommended that consumers eat as cleanly as possible, with as few processed foods as possible, since they are more likely to be contaminated. “It’s unfortunate that we only become aware of our food systems when something bad happens,” she said, “but I think it makes us realize that for the most part we can trust that our food is safe… I think that’s a credit to people in public health who are assuring that safety.”

To protect themselves from food borne illness and prevent the spread, Kelly-McGovern
recommends that consumers pay attention to the news, dispose of contaminated products, and
avoid purchasing products that are contaminated.