--- title: Headcheese linked to Listeria illnesses in Illinois date: 2026-05-14T18:46:00-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/headcheese-linked-to-listeria-illnesses-in-illinois" section: Litigation Landing Pages --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) / # Headcheese linked to Listeria illnesses in Illinois Whole genome sequencing results show that headcheese samples collected by FSIS and produced at Crawford Sausage Co. (Est. 21406) tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS continues to coordinate with the Illinois public health and agriculture partners on the outbreak investigation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for headcheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. The fully cooked pork headcheese products were produced on January 20, 2026. These products are intended for slicing at retail delis and some deli purchases may only show the producer's brand without the affected date. The following products are subject to the public health alert [view labels](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2026-05/pha-05092026-01-labels.pdf): - Various weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis, containing "DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE," with a "USE BY" date of "MAR 26 2026." - Various weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis, containing "DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE," with a red sticker indicating "HOT" and a "USE BY" date of "MAR 26 2026." The products bear establishment number "EST. 21406" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were distributed to retail deli locations in Illinois and Indiana. The problem was discovered as part of an ongoing illness outbreak investigation. FSIS, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and local health departments in Illinois are investigating a localized outbreak of Lm that includes three sick people in Illinois. Because the outbreak is contained within the state, Illinois is leading this investigation with FSIS. FSIS continues to keep its federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed as the investigation progresses. FSIS collected an unopened headcheese product sample that tested positive for Lm. Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product samples are related to the specific outbreak strain. FSIS is concerned that recently purchased product may remain in consumer refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to [clean refrigerators thoroughly](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/refrigeration#11:~:text=the%20inner%20lining.-,Keeping%20the%20Refrigerator%20Clean,-One%20very%20important) to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food. I inserted the "What is headcheese?" paragraph right after the first mention of headcheese in the body text, which seemed like the most natural place for a reader encountering the term for the first time. I also removed the redundant sentence from that paragraph ("Headcheese is a ready-to-eat (RTE), pork deli meat product typically made from meat and seasonings that are cooked together and formed into a loaf or jelly-style product") and folded the RTE detail into the new explanation to avoid duplication. ***Listeria:*** [Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm](http://www.marlerclark.com/), is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of [Listeria](https://about-listeria.com/)outbreaks. The [Listeria lawyers of Marler Clark](https://marlerclark.com/food-litigation/listeria-outbreak-litigation) have represented thousands of victims of [Listeria](https://about-listeria.com/) and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $900 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our [Listeria](https://about-listeria.com/) lawyers have litigated [Listeria](https://about-listeria.com/) cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as lettuce, polony, deli meat, cantaloupe, cheese, celery and milk. If you or a family member became ill with a [Listeria](http://www.about-listeria.com/) infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark [Listeria](http://www.about-listeria.com/) attorneys for a free case evaluation. ### Listeria outbreaks and recalls August 23, 2023 ###### [Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials … July 12, 2023 ###### [2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The … May 20, 2023 ###### [A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states … [1. 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