This guidance can help people—especially those in vulnerable groups—stay safe until this outbreak is over, CRs experts say
Update as of Sept. 13, 2024: Boar’s Head announced today that it will stop producing liverwurst, one of the company’s deli products that was found to be contaminated with listeria and linked to 57 hospitalizations and nine deaths across 18 states. The company also said it has indefinitely closed its Jarratt, Virginia, plant where liverwurst was produced.
Update as of Aug., 8, 2024: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced nine new listeria cases linked to recalled deli meats, bringing the total number of cases and hospitalizations to 43. The CDC also said that a third person had died.
Consumer Reports food safety experts warn people who are pregnant, very young children, those who are older, and anyone with a weakened immune system to avoid eating all deli-sliced meats (including Boar’s Head deli meat), as well as recalled Boar’s Head packaged meat products because of a risk that they could be contaminated with listeria. To be safe, everyone—not just those in these vulnerable groups—may want to avoid these products for now.
Some Boar’s Head products are linked to an ongoing listeria outbreak. The infection—listeriosis—caused by the listeria bacteria can turn deadly for people in these at-risk groups and cause miscarriages in those who are pregnant.
While not all Boar’s Head products have been recalled, the recall is extensive: The company has recalled more than 7 million pounds of packaged and deli-sliced meats (PDF) after the company said a strain of listeria found on a Boar’s Head liverwurst product in a Baltimore-area deli matched the strain that’s responsible for the outbreak. The liverwurst was processed in the company’s Jarrett, Va., facility, and Boar’s Head said in a statement that all meats from that facility are now recalled, and it has temporarily stopped all “ready-to-eat” production that normally occurs there.
“If you are in one of these high-risk groups, and have a Boar’s Head packaged meat product in your refrigerator and can’t tell if it’s recalled or not, or if you just want to play it safe until the outbreak is over, throw it out,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at CR. Any recalled product can also be returned to the store where you purchased it for a full refund.
After disposing of any recalled meat (and any deli-sliced meat of unknown origin), you should also thoroughly clean your refrigerator and any surfaces the meat has touched, advises Sana Mujahid, PhD, manager of food safety research and testing at CR.
Especially for people in at-risk groups, also avoiding all meats sliced at the deli counter and all deli sandwiches for now is the safest bet. That’s because Boar’s Head deli meats associated with this recall that are cut on a slicer at a grocery store, deli, or bodega could contaminate the equipment and countertop surfaces, and spread easily to other deli meats, as well as to cheese and leafy greens, Rogers says.
Boar’s Head is one of America’s most trusted premium deli meat brands, Their sliced oven roasted turkey is a popular choice for sandwiches and snacks, But how long does their turkey stay fresh after opening?
Knowing the fridge life of deli meats like Boar’s Head turkey ensures you safely enjoy the great taste without worrying about foodborne illness In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about maximizing the shelf life and freshness of your Boar’s Head sliced oven roasted turkey
Overview of Boar’s Head Turkey
Boar’s Head Brand was founded in 1905 in Brooklyn, New York. For over 115 years, they’ve been dedicated to handcrafting premium meats and cheeses using only the finest ingredients.
Their oven roasted turkey breast is minimally processed with no artificial preservatives. It contains simple ingredients like turkey breast meat, water, sea salt, brown sugar, and natural spices.
The turkey is sliced fresh daily at local deli counters. Compared to pre-packaged lunch meat, this freshly sliced turkey offers superior texture and flavor.
How Long Does Boar’s Head Turkey Last Refrigerated?
According to Boar’s Head, an opened package of their oven roasted turkey will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days when properly stored in the refrigerator.
The key is keeping the turkey consistently chilled at 40°F or below. The cold temperature significantly slows the growth of bacteria.
For optimum freshness and taste, use the turkey within 3 days after opening. The quality starts to decline after that.
If you won’t use it within 5 days, freeze the remainder immediately for longer storage.
Proper Storage Methods
Follow these tips to maintain freshness and maximize the shelf life of your Boar’s Head Oven Roasted Turkey:
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Keep turkey tightly sealed in original packaging or plastic wrap to limit air exposure. Air speeds up spoilage.
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Store turkey on a plate or bowl to catch any leaks and keep refrigerator clean.
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Refrigerate promptly after use. Don’t leave turkey out more than 2 hours.
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Use deli meat within 3-5 days for best quality. Discard after that.
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Freeze extra turkey right away if not using within 5 days.
Signs Your Boar’s Head Turkey Has Spoiled
Watch for these visible and odor clues that your Boar’s Head oven roasted turkey has gone bad:
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Sliminess – Slippery texture or tacky film signals spoilage
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Discoloration – Gray, brown or greenish colors instead of pink/red
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Off Smell – Rancid or sour odors mean don’t eat!
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Mold – Discard at any sign of mold, fuzz or slime
Don’t taste questionable turkey! It’s not worth risking food poisoning. When in doubt, throw it out.
Turkey Handling Tips for Food Safety
To prevent bacteria growth and foodborne illness, handle and store turkey properly:
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Discard turkey after the use-by date on packaging
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Refrigerate below 40°F. Freeze for longer storage.
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Put leftover turkey in fridge within 2 hours after serving
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Store raw turkey separately from cooked
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Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw turkey
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Use deli meats within 3-5 days recommended by USDA
The Bottom Line
For best quality and food safety, use Boar’s Head oven roasted turkey within 3 to 5 days after opening when refrigerated at 40°F or below. Keep the packaging tightly sealed and watch for signs of spoilage. Follow the proper deli meat storage guidelines in this article to fully enjoy the superior flavor of Boar’s Head sliced oven roasted turkey!
Recalled Boar’s Head Packaged Meats
Elizabeth Ward, spokesperson for Boar’s Head confirmed that of the 72 products recalled (see a full list), the following are those sold in the U.S. as prepackaged products on store shelves. (Many of the recalled items are meats sliced behind a deli counter.)
These packaged products will have “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Note that some product details were not yet available at the time of publication.
| Product Name | Size | Sell-By Dates | Package Code |
| Liverwurst Pate | 8 oz. | 02-AUG-24-12-SEP-24 | 042421258103 |
| Canadian Style Uncured Bacon | 1.6 oz. | 31-JUL-24-09-SEP-24 | 1 |
| Uncured Pork & Beef Frankfurters | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Uncured Pork & Beef Frankfurters – Natural Casing | 14 oz. | 31-JUL-24-15-SEP-24 | 042421140101 |
| Uncured Beef Frankfurters | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Uncured Beef Frankfurters – Natural Casing | 14 oz. | 31-JUL-24-13-SEP-24 | 1 |
| Uncured Cocktail Frankfurters | 12 oz. | 31-JUL-24-11-SEP-24 | 042421044171 |
| Uncured Beef Knockwurst | 1 lb. | 30-JUL-24-14-SEP-24 | 042421000085 |
| Bratwurst | 1 lb. | 29-JUL-24-17-OCT-24 | 042421246803 |
| Hot Smoked Uncured Sausage | 1 lb. | 01-AUG-24-14-SEP-24 | 042421003659 |
| Uncured Kielbasa | 16 oz. | 02-AUG-24-15-SEP-24 | 042421140064 |
| All Natural Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage | 12 oz. | 29-JUL-24-17-OCT-24 | 042421140330 |
| Old Country Brand Canadian Style Bacon | 1 | 1-JUL-24-04-SEP-24 | 1 |
So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the outbreak has caused 34 illnesses, with 33 people who have been hospitalized and two people who have died. Those who were sickened were located in New York (12), Maryland (6), Georgia (2), Massachusetts (2), Missouri (2), New Jersey (2), Virginia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Minnesota (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Wisconsin (1).
The true number of people (and states) affected by this outbreak may be greater, the CDC says, because some people may fall ill without being tested for listeria, and others may not yet be showing symptoms.
Those symptoms can include fever, and experiencing muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator? #turkey #foodquestion #shortsvideo
FAQ
How long does boar’s head turkey last in the fridge?
How long do your deli meats stay fresh in the refrigerator? Our products are not highly processed. In order for you to enjoy optimum flavor, we recommend that you do not purchase more product than you can consume within three days.
Can you eat deli turkey after 7 days?
If you are talking about commercial packages of deli turkey, then you can keep it for 7 days after opening (if your refrigerator is 41°F or less) with the day of opening being day 1 (FDA Food Code).
How long does a pack of turkey last in the fridge?
Per foodsafety.gov and the USDA, refrigerated lunchmeat lasts 3 to 5 days after opening or up to 2 weeks in an unopened package.
How long does turkey last in the fridge?
USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.