Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Listeria,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on May 12, 2026
A Health Alert has been issued for Daisy brand Headcheese deli meat. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued the alert in response to a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak investigation. Several people in Illinois fell sick. According to the FSIS, since the outbreak is still contained within that state, Illinois Department of Public Health is leading the investigation, with assistance as necessary from the Federal agency.
Here’s what we know so far about the Daisy brand headcheese Health Alert so far!
So far, at least three people with Listeria monocytogenes infections have been connected to a localized outbreak. All outbreak patients are from Illinois.
At this time, a single production lot of the fully cooked pork headcheese products has been connected to the outbreak. FSIS collected unopened Daisy brand headcheese products, which tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Additional testing is underway to determine if the Listeria bacteria identified in the product samples is a genetic match to the outbreak strain.
The affected Daisy brand headcheese deli meat products were produced on January 20, 2026. This product was intended for slicing at retail delis. Consequently, some of the individually packaged purchases may only indicate the producer’s brand. But not the affected dates. Contact your place of purchase for additional information or discontinue use.
Products include:
These products were distributed to retail deli locations in the states of Illinois and Indiana and bear the establishment number EST. 21406 inside the USDA mark of inspection.
An Illinois Listeria outbreak has been announced. A Public Health Alert has been issued. But there is no actual recall for Daisy brand headcheese deli meat products.
Why?
According to FSIS, “a recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.”
As mid-May approaches and a USE BY date of late March, it is unlikely that people still have affected products in their refrigerators. However, deli meat can be frozen and thawed to consume at a later time.
Additionally, Listeria illnesses, even severe ones, can take weeks to be connected to an ongoing outbreak. Even longer if cases are spread out.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for listeriosis. This serious infection is often associated with contaminated food.
While anyone can become infected with Listeria, in many cases normally healthy people do not become seriously ill. There are certain groups, however, that are more at risk of becoming sick or experiencing more severe illness.
High-risk groups include:
Listeria bacteria pose additional concern due to their complicated range of symptoms. It affects people who are pregnant differently than those who are not. Each with their own significant complications.
Since Listeria infections begin with intestinal illness, let’s start there.
One of the most common symptom profiles of Listeria illness involves intestinal illness. Intestinal illness occurs when the bacteria affect the digestive system.
Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea beginning within 24 hours of consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. These symptoms are often resolved within three days.
Most people with intestinal Listeria infections do not require medical intervention or antibiotic treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids, and treating the symptoms is your best bet.
Intestinal Listeria illness can evolve to a more invasive illness. This is where things diverge in pregnant and non-pregnant people.
Listeria bacteria cause invasive illness when they leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. Invasive listeriosis affects pregnant people and non-pregnant people in different ways. For both categories, invasive illness symptoms usually begin about two weeks after exposure.
While personal symptoms of invasive listeriosis are milder in pregnant people, the impact on the pregnancy poses potentially serious consequences. Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
Outbreaks do not happen every day. So how common are Listeria infections?
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, around 1,850 listeriosis infections happen each year. In Illinois, about 20 cases are reported annually. It is the severity that is most concerning.
“About 25 percent of the cases die.”
Listeria in deli meat is a serious concern. For many reasons. However, the 2024 Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak is probably the most public example of the serious risk.
In that outbreak linked to Boar’s Head liverwurst and deli meats, at least 61 people were sickened across 19 states. Of which, 60 required hospitalizations. Ten people died.
So why is deli meat such a risk factor?
For one, this bacterium is known to survive refrigeration temperatures. Additionally, retail deli’s are prone to cross-contamination.
Listeria monocytogenes is known for its cold hardiness. It can easily survive refrigeration temperatures. Which is why it is often associated with raw dairy products, fresh juices, and deli meat.
Even with regular cleaning, a busy deli often does not keep up with potential cross-contamination concerns. Similar items go one after another on the slicer. Gloves are not changed between one meat and the next. Cross-contamination runs rampant in these types of environments.
Once contaminated package can spread to countless other customers.
Have you become sick with symptoms consistent with a Listeria infection or have recently been treated for a Listeria infection after consuming Daisy brand head cheese deli meat? You may be part of this outbreak.
If you are, it is a good idea to get advice from a Listeria Lawyer.
Medical bills, lost work, and other burdens associated with foodborne illnesses like Listeria add up. Who is responsible for those bills? What can you do? What are your rights?
All of these questions can be answered by an experienced Listeria Lawyer. Reach out to a Listeria Lawyer for advice as soon as possible.
If you have fallen sick with a Listeria infection, you may be eligible for legal compensation.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many families with cases just like yours help hold accountable those responsible for foodborne illnesses. When a company becomes negligent, people become sick.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)