A listeria food poisoning outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats has resulted in three deaths and 43 reported illnesses across 13 states.

The outbreak, which began in late May, has prompted health officials to investigate the source, with the CDC identifying contaminated deli meats, particularly liverwurst, as the culprit.

In response to the outbreak, Boar's Head has recalled over 7 million pounds of deli meats produced at its Virginia facility, following a positive listeria test from a liverwurst sample.

The recall includes more than 70 products, such as liverwurst, ham, beef salami, and bologna, distributed nationwide and to several countries, including the Dominican Republic and Panama.

Consumers are urged to avoid the recalled products, which can be identified by the 'EST. 12612' or 'P-12612' codes on packaging, and to clean their refrigerators to prevent contamination.

The deceased individuals were located in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia, with health authorities noting that the actual number of cases may be significantly higher than reported.

Fifty-five percent of patients interviewed reported consuming deli-sliced liverwurst prior to becoming ill, highlighting the product's link to the outbreak.

Health authorities are emphasizing the need for consumers to exercise caution when purchasing and consuming deli meats, especially during the summer months when foodborne illnesses can spike.

This outbreak underscores the ongoing health risks posed by listeria, a bacteria that can cause severe illness and death, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older adults and pregnant women.

The affected product includes 16 slices weighing 200 grams from the Cora brand, which have also been recalled due to contamination concerns.

The CDC first identified cases of the outbreak at the end of June, with Listeria monocytogenes found in unopened containers of Boar's Head liverwurst.