Recall of eggs, apple juice and deli meat: Recent list over various health concerns

Several grocery items have been making headlines in recent weeks because of recalls involving various health concerns. 

The recalls include deli meats, eggs and apple juice. 

Here’s what to know about each: 

Boar’s Head recall

The Boar’s Head recall involving more than 7 million pounds of deli meat is the most serious among the recent grocery recalls. 

The meats were recalled over serious listeria concerns. At least nine people have died and another 57 have been hospitalized, according to U.S. officials, marking the largest listeria outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe. 

Boar's Head posted on its website that it's been conducting a rigorous investigation into the issue with the USDA and government regulatory agencies, as well as with global food safety experts. 

Particularly in question is Boar’s Head’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia, where all foods produced there were recalled. Inspectors found the plant broke food safety rules dozens of times, and documented "meat overspray on walls," flies and black patches of mold.

READ MORE: Boar’s Head plant linked to deadly outbreak had ‘meat overspray’ on walls, ceiling, records show

The initial recall and outbreak of illnesses happened earlier this summer, but health officials are still informing the public of shopping locations that sold the recalled products linked to the outbreak.

What is listeria? 

Listeria infections are caused by a hardy type of bacteria that can survive and even thrive during refrigeration. 

Infections can be hard to pinpoint because symptoms may occur quickly — or up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food.

The infections are especially dangerous for older people, those who are pregnant or those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures can also occur, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Apple juice recall

A recall of apple juice from Refresco Beverages was also issued earlier this summer, and was recently expanded to include more than 133,000 cases. 

The juices from Refresco Beverages were sold under various brand names, which you can see here. 

Why is arsenic in apple juice?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral that is toxic to humans.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, arsenic may be present in apples because it is in the environment where the apples were grown, raised or processed. 

Arsenic in the soil, air and water may occur naturally or may be present due to human activity, such as from the past use of pesticides or pollution.

In June 2023, the FDA updated industry guidelines that apple juice cannot contain inorganic arsenic at levels more than 10 parts per billion (ppb). 

The Refresco apple juice recall was initially issued because the juices were found to have arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion, FOX Business reported. 

Exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with adverse human health effects, including cancer, diabetes, adverse birth outcomes, and cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental effects, the FDA says. 

Egg recall

Earlier this month, eggs from a Wisconsin farm were recalled after dozens of people were sickened with a salmonella infection. 

The outbreak happened in nine states and has affected 65 people thus far, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said 24 people were hospitalized. 

The eggs were labeled with "Milo’s Poultry Farms" or "Tony’s Fresh Market." Read more info about the recalled items here. 

What is salmonella? 

Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness. 

Most people infected with salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after swallowing the bacteria. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment, according to the FDA. 

Diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps are common symptoms. 

The CDC says to call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe symptoms: 

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
• Bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as: Not peeing much, Dry mouth and throat, Feeling dizzy when standing up